Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-27
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 5.0)
Nowadays, there is a debate whether buying few expensive clothes than cheaper clothes.In this essay I will be discussing both points on the next paragraph .
On one hand, others say that buying expensive clothes will benefit them. Others may think that buying expensive clothes will be elegant and expensive outlook. One of the advantage of buying expensive clothes is you know that it is fresh made and was packed accordingly. Others can wear it straight as it is brand new. One of the disadvantages is if you buy expensive clothes, it is made my lots of stock with the same design. You might have a twin clothes wear by other people.
On the other hand, buying a cheaper clothes like in ukay-ulay. One of the disadvantage of this was, you do not know if the person who owned that before is still alive or dead. In my own experience, I rather buy expensive ones , I rather buy cheaper clothes because atleast you know that no one matches you outfit. You will be confident at all. In my county we do sell second hand clothing like clothes bag and clothes .
I myself tested that buying cheapest clothes will be alright .
But balance between the two will always be good approach. Whether cheap or expensive it will always be good.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the essay attempts to address the prompt, the position is inconsistent; you initially state you will discuss both sides, but then contradict yourself by saying 'I rather buy expensive ones' and immediately following it with 'I rather buy cheaper clothes'. The arguments are under-developed and lack sufficient supporting evidence or logical depth. To improve, ensure you maintain a clear, consistent stance throughout the essay and provide detailed examples to support your claims, ensuring you meet the length requirement to allow for full development.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is weak. The transition between ideas is often abrupt, and the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, such as the confusing transition in the final paragraph. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks a clear progression of thought. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in contrast') to connect your sentences and ideas more smoothly, and ensure each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed main idea.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, which limits the ability to convey complex ideas. There are several instances of awkward phrasing and incorrect word choices, such as 'fresh made', 'twin clothes wear by other people', and 'ukay-ulay' (which is a colloquial term that may not be understood by all readers). The range of vocabulary is insufficient for a higher band score. To improve, focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to consumerism and fashion, and try to use more precise adjectives and nouns to describe your points.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'one of the advantage'), article usage, and sentence structure (e.g., 'there is a debate whether buying...'). The range of structures is limited, relying mostly on simple sentences. To improve, practice using a mix of complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and conditional sentences. Pay closer attention to basic grammar rules, particularly pluralization and preposition usage, to reduce the frequency of errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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