Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-28

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)

The growing trend of buying either a few expensive clothes or a larger number of cheaper ones has become a matter of considerable debate in recent years. Some people believe that investing in high-quality clothing items is more beneficial. I strongly agree with this viewpoint because this trend is both economical and environment-friendly. This essay will discuss my perspective with relevant examples.

To begin with, the primary advantage of purchasing fewer expensive garments is that it is more economical in the long run. This can be attributed to the fact that these high-quality clothes are made with better materials and stronger stitching. As a result, this reduces the need of frequent replacements, which significantly lowers the overall cost, despite a high initial cost. For instance, a person who buys a high-quality jacket for $300 may use it for many years, whereas buying a cheaper jacket may need to be replaced every season.

Furthermore, another significant reason why I support this view is that this promotes sustainable consumption and reduces waste. Cheap clothing is often associated with fast fashion, which encourages excessive buying and disposal. This contributes to pollution and resource depletion. Therefore, choosing durable clothes reduces industrial waste and inculcates environmentally responsible habits. A clear illustration of this can be seen in reports by United Nations that suggest that fast fashion industries produce around 200 million tons of textile waste globally every year. This demonstrates the need of promoting quality over quantity.

In conclusion, although some people argue that buying many cheap clothes is more affordable, I believe that investing in fewer high-quality garments is a better choice. Therefore, consumers should consider durability and environmental impact rather than simply focus on the number of items they can purchase.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments provided for both the economic and environmental benefits of purchasing high-quality clothing. The use of a specific example regarding the $300 jacket and the reference to UN reports on textile waste effectively support your arguments. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt, demonstrating a clear understanding of the requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, including topic-specific terms like 'sustainable consumption,' 'resource depletion,' and 'fast fashion.' The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for the context. While the vocabulary is effective, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. The current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and with a degree of flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and contrastive clauses (e.g., 'although some people argue...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled throughout. There are very few minor slips, such as 'need of frequent replacements' (should be 'need for') and 'reports by United Nations' (should be 'the United Nations'). These are minor and do not impede communication, reflecting a high level of grammatical accuracy.

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