Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07
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)
The vast majority of people have differing views on whether it is better to purchase a few expensive clothes, rather than of buy a large number of cheaper ones. I partially agree with this view as expensive clothes are often of higher quality and more durable, cheaper clothes can be more affordable and provide greater variety. This essay will discuss main both perspectives before explaining my opinion behind this emerging trend.
To begin with, there are many several factors, which influences individuals to purchase expensive clothes. First and foremost, people buy expensive clothes because they want to show their social status and appear wealthy in front of others. Apart from them, others buy them due to their high quality and durability. For instance, well-renowned and wealthy individuals often wear expensive branded clothes rather than cheaper ones.
On the other side, buying Cheaper clothes can have positive impact on individuals' lives by allowing them to buy a wide variety of clothes at affordable prices. On the other hand, people who prefer to buy
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the development of your ideas. While you introduce both sides of the argument, the essay is incomplete and cuts off abruptly mid-sentence. Because the task is not fully addressed and the argument remains undeveloped due to the lack of length, the response cannot reach a higher band. To improve, you must ensure you provide a full introduction, two or three well-developed body paragraphs with specific examples, and a clear conclusion to meet the word count and fully explore the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay uses some basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'First and foremost', and 'On the other hand' to signal the structure. However, the abrupt ending makes the overall progression unclear. Paragraphing is attempted, but the incomplete nature of the final paragraph disrupts the logical flow. To improve, focus on completing your thoughts within each paragraph and using a wider variety of linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly throughout the entire essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'durable', 'social status', and 'emerging trend'. However, there are some minor errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'main both perspectives' and 'influences individuals' (should be 'influence'). The vocabulary is functional but lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Try to incorporate more topic-specific collocations related to consumer habits and fashion to enhance your lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'rather than of buy' (should be 'rather than buying') and 'there are many several factors' (redundant). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete sentence at the end prevents a full assessment of your control over complex structures. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and avoiding redundant phrasing. Ensure that you proofread your work to catch small errors that can be easily avoided.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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