Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-02

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 7.0)

While it is widely believed that purchasing costly clothes in limited quantity is better than buying cheaper ones in larger quantities, I completely disagree with this statement because of limited styling options and unnecessary expenditure on overpriced items.

The most compelling reason for believing this is that individuals can make numerous combinations of clothes if they have more variety of garments. People waste excessive money on purchasing one costly outfit as they usually get bored by wearing it again and again. However, if they utilise the same amount of money for buying more outfits, they can easily avoid repetition and groom their personality. For example, youngsters love to create unique looks by reusing old clothes on various occasions. Therefore, it can lead to saving as they do not go for shopping on every occasion.

In addition, branded clothes are usually considered overpriced. Although these clothes have the best quality and long durability, customers get charged a lot more than what they should be charged. As the products from renowned brands have several hidden charges such as brand cost, premium packaging, advertisement and many more, consumers have to pay a lot more than the actual value. For instance, there could be a huge difference in the prices of two different t-shirts only because one has a branded logo while the other is just a regular t-shirt. As a result, expending money on expensive clothes is inefficient as shoppers pay for the unnecessary services rather than just paying the price of their needed item.

In conclusion, I opine that a person should not rely on just a few expensive attires as allocating funds towards cheaper clothes is a pragmatic approach in the modern era. This is because, people could create more outfits by expending less money and avoiding the hidden costs of branded clothes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response clearly addresses the prompt and maintains a consistent position throughout. The arguments regarding styling variety and the hidden costs of branding are logical and well-supported. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the comparison between branded and regular t-shirts. The response fully satisfies the requirements of the task by providing a clear opinion and supporting it with coherent reasoning. To reach a higher band, the student could further explore the counter-argument—perhaps acknowledging the durability of expensive items more deeply before refuting it—to provide a more nuanced and balanced discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'The most compelling reason', 'However', 'In addition', and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is generally clear. While the flow is good, some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to move beyond standard linking phrases, which would enhance the overall cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'expenditure', 'pragmatic', 'garments', and 'hidden charges'. There is an attempt to use less common items, though some collocations could be more natural, such as 'groom their personality' (which is slightly awkward in this context; 'enhance their personal style' would be better). Overall, the range is adequate, and errors in word choice do not impede understanding. To improve, the student should focus on more precise collocations and idiomatic expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar, and most sentences are error-free. Examples of complex structures include the use of 'While...' and 'Although...' clauses. Punctuation is generally accurate. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'if they utilise the same amount of money for buying' (should be 'to buy') and 'as they do not go for shopping' (should be 'go shopping'). These errors are infrequent and do not cause confusion. The level of accuracy is consistent throughout the text.

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