Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

It is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than lots of cheaper clothes.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.0)

Yes I agree it is better to buy just a few expensive clothes, rather than lots of cheaper clothes. To commence with, buying a few costly clothes of superior quality and longevity offers better durability and saves money in the long run. Superior quality garments are often made from premium materials and crafted with greater attention to details, resulting in better durability and resistance to wear and tear. This practice is proven to be a money saver as well. For instance a well- tailored suit made from fine wool may initially be more expensive, but its durability ensures that it remains in excellent condition even after years of use. In contrast cheaper fabrics or clothings may lose shape and color after few washes, necessitating frequent replacements and costing more money.

Moreover, the durability of expensive clothes contributes to reducing overall consumption and waste aligning with the principle of sustainability, by investing in fewer clothes or better quality. Individuals can actively participate in promoting environmentally conscious practices. The fast Fashion trend, in which people buy fashionable clothing items at an affordable rate but wear them only for a few days is one of the contributors to environmental degradation. Our consumption habits of purchasing expensive but fewer clothing items could reverse the damages caused to Mother Nature.

Finally, buying a few expensive clothes cultivates a more refined and sophisticated personal style. Premium clothing often boots unique designs and expert craftsmanship, allowing individuals to express their personality and taste with elegance. For instance wearing a designer dress tailored to perfection can make a strong fashion statement and instill confidence in the wearer.

In conclusion, buying a few expensive clothes rather than numerous cheaper ones presents several genuine advantages and therefore should be considered by consumers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

You have clearly addressed the prompt by taking a definitive stance and supporting it with relevant arguments regarding durability, environmental impact, and personal style. Each paragraph introduces a distinct, logical point that is well-developed with examples, such as the comparison between a tailored suit and cheaper alternatives. The response is balanced and directly answers the question. To reach a higher band, ensure that your conclusion does not just summarize but perhaps offers a final, insightful thought on the topic to further strengthen the development of your position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Your essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To commence with,' 'Moreover,' and 'Finally,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow of information is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the environmental argument and the personal style argument is slightly more nuanced, as the current shift feels a bit abrupt.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including terms like 'longevity,' 'environmental degradation,' and 'sophisticated.' You use these words accurately to convey your meaning. There are a few minor issues, such as 'boots' instead of 'boasts' and 'clothings' (which is uncountable). However, these do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more idiomatic expressions or less common collocations to show greater flexibility and precision in your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are clear and grammatically sound. There are occasional errors, such as 'For instance a well-tailored suit' (missing a comma after 'instance') and 'after few washes' (missing 'a'). These are minor slips that do not affect the clarity of your message. To improve, focus on consistent punctuation and ensuring articles are used correctly with countable and uncountable nouns.

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