Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-05

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)

Whether to invest in a small wardrobe of high-quality, expensive clothing or to opt for a larger collection of inexpensive garments is a subject of significant debate. While budget-friendly options offer variety and accessibility, I strongly agree that purchasing a few well-made, expensive garments is a far superior approach due to durability, financial value over time, and environmental sustainability.

First and foremost, high-quality garments are built to last, offering better durability and lower long-term costs. Cheaper clothing is often mass-produced using synthetic fibers and poor stitching, causing items to fade, shrink, or lose their shape after only a few washes. In contrast, higher-priced apparel typically uses premium materials—such as wool, silk, or organic cotton—and superior craftsmanship. For example, a well-crafted leather jacket or a tailor-made wool coat may carry a high upfront cost, but it can easily endure a decade of frequent wear without degrading. Over time, the "cost per wear" of a durable piece proves significantly lower than constantly replacing cheap items that wear out in a single season.

Furthermore, prioritizing quality over quantity aligns with sustainable consumption and helps mitigate the severe environmental impacts of fast fashion. The rapid cycle of buying and discarding low-cost clothing contributes immensely to textile waste in landfills and water pollution from synthetic dyes. By choosing to purchase fewer, higher-value pieces, consumers actively reject the culture of overconsumption. Investing in timeless designs rather than short-lived fashion trends encourages a more intentional wardrobe that remains stylish for years.

However, it is important to acknowledge that purchasing expensive clothes is not always feasible for everyone. Individuals with limited budgets or rapidly growing children often rely on low-cost clothing to meet their basic needs. Nevertheless, even on a modest budget, aiming for higher quality over sheer volume—such as buying fewer, versatile items—yields better practicality and value.

In conclusion, I firmly support the view that buying a few premium clothing items is better than accumulating a excess of cheap garments. Superior durability, long-term economic efficiency, and reduced environmental impact make investing in quality a far more sensible choice.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The ideas regarding durability, financial value, and environmental impact are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the comparison between mass-produced clothing and a tailor-made wool coat. The counter-argument is also handled well, acknowledging the reality of budget constraints while still reinforcing your main thesis. The response is well-structured and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'In contrast', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The use of referencing is precise, and the internal structure of each paragraph is coherent, with topic sentences clearly introducing the main point followed by supporting details. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using precise and sophisticated terms such as 'garments', 'mitigate', 'overconsumption', 'timeless designs', and 'economic efficiency'. The collocations are natural and accurate, such as 'rapid cycle of buying' and 'severe environmental impacts'. There is a high level of control over word choice, and the language used is appropriate for an academic or formal context. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as conditional structures and relative clauses, without error. For example, 'While budget-friendly options offer variety and accessibility, I strongly agree...' shows good control over complex sentence construction. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are rare and do not impede communication in any way.

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