Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-17

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 5.5)

In this modern world there is common belief that buying fewer luxury cloths is better than spending lots of money on cheaper clothes. I agree to the idea that spending more on fewer pricy clothes is an above cut.

firstly, the quality of the premium garments outweighs the low price apparel. therefore, it feels more comfortable on body and lasts for longer period of time. in addition to that some luxury brands products consumption life stays for decades which tends to encourage people to spend more on margin heavy attire.

Secondly, the customization of the product for consumer according to their needs and preferences brings more satisfaction. for instance, their are many premium brands that make personalized goods for disabled customers which results to built brand trust and retaining the consumer.

In conclusion, the expensive clothes are comparatively better in quality, durability and material. therefore, spending lots of money on the low price products will leads more expenditure. So, it better to invest in fewer but finer products which last longer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 171 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments remain superficial and lack sufficient supporting evidence or detailed examples. While the position is clear and the main points are relevant, the brevity prevents a fully developed response. To improve, you must expand on your points by providing more detailed explanations and specific, real-world examples to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a deeper exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the argument. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'firstly', 'secondly', and 'in conclusion' to signal the structure. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the lack of length limits the opportunity to demonstrate more sophisticated cohesive links. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the transition between your main ideas and your supporting examples is smoother and more logically connected.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'premium garments', 'customization', and 'durability'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'above cut' (likely meant 'a cut above') and 'margin heavy attire'. Additionally, there are minor spelling errors like 'cloths' instead of 'clothes'. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensure that your word choices are natural and contextually appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'there is common belief' (missing article), 'their are many' (incorrect homophone 'there'), and 'will leads' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several missing capital letters at the start of sentences. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and proofreading for basic mechanical errors to ensure your writing is more accurate.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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