Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-19
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)
It is often argued that buying a few expansive garments is better than to have large number of cheaper ones. I completely agree with this view because investing one-time in high quality clothes is more beneficial than repeatedly buying cheaper items that may lack quality and style.
The main reason for my opinion is that expensive are mostly made from high quality fabric, which retains form and size, also lasts longer than low-quality cheaper cloths. Most of the times, inexpensive garments loose their shape, even fades their color. For instance, recently I have purchased a pack of formal shirts because I found price very cheaper, but after wearing and washing them the shirts got shrink and lost its original colors. Whereas, I bought a costly shirt last year from a well known brand and even after wearing it regularly it is sill feels same as when I bought it first time. Therefore, high-quality cloths provide more value for money than many basic garments.
Moreover, mostly the inexpensive cloths lacks in style and does not have good color contrasts. As branded cloths are designed by professional and well known designers, the style is always carefully tailored. Alsa
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 196 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the essay is cut off mid-sentence at the end. While you clearly state your position in the introduction and provide relevant arguments regarding durability and quality, the under-length nature of the response means the task is only partially addressed. To improve, you must ensure that you fully develop your supporting points and provide a concluding paragraph to summarize your argument, which would help you reach the required length and provide a more comprehensive response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay shows a basic attempt at logical organization, using linking words like 'The main reason' and 'Moreover' to introduce new points. However, the progression is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the text. Paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is unfinished, which disrupts the overall flow. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a conclusion makes the structure feel incomplete. To achieve a higher band, ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and that you include a clear concluding statement that synthesizes your main points.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'investing', 'garments', 'tailored', and 'value for money'. However, there are several persistent errors in word choice and spelling, such as 'expansive' instead of 'expensive', 'cloths' instead of 'clothes', and 'loose' instead of 'lose'. These errors are noticeable but do not generally impede communication. To improve, focus on the correct spelling and usage of common nouns and adjectives related to fashion and consumer habits, and try to incorporate more precise collocations to enhance the sophistication of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the accuracy of the text, such as 'expensive are mostly made' (missing noun), 'price very cheaper' (incorrect comparative structure), and 'the shirts got shrink' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is occasionally awkward. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of comparative adjectives. Reviewing basic sentence construction will help reduce the frequency of these errors and improve the clarity of your arguments.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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