Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
It is often argued that people should purchase a few high-quality clothes instead of many inexpensive ones. While I agree that high-quality clothing can be a better long-term investment, I do not believe that buying expensive clothes is always the best choice.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why individuals prefer to buy a few, more expensive items. Firstly, high-quality clothes can provide better material and are more durable, so they can remain in good condition for several years, whereas cheaper garments may wear out quickly and need to be replaced. Furthermore, expensive clothing often has better stitching and design which can make it more comfortable and suitable for work and formal occasions. Additionally, buying fewer items can diminish unnecessary clothing consumption and may eventually reduce waste. In this way, spending more on durable products can be both economical and environmentally responsible.
On the other hand, cheaper clothes can be a practical option, particularly for people on limited incomes. Not everyone can afford to spend a large amount of money on a single jacket or a pair of shoes. Moreover, inexpensive clothing allows customers to have a variety of styles and colors without exceeding their budget, which can be especially useful for the young generation whose tastes and lifestyle change frequently. Meanwhile, some affordable clothes are reasonably durable, meaning that the low price does not indicate poor quality. In contrast, purchasing expensive products simply because of their cost may put unnecessary pressure on a person's finances.
In conclusion, although people should invest in a few costly clothes to save money in the long run. From my perspective, consumers should consider their income, needs and quality of product before making a purchase. Therefore, the best option is to choose durable products at prices which can be appropriate for one's budget.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have provided a clear position from the introduction, which is maintained throughout the essay. The arguments for both sides—durability and environmental impact versus financial accessibility and variety—are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position. To reach a higher band, you could ensure that your examples are slightly more specific; for instance, instead of mentioning 'a jacket or a pair of shoes' generally, you could briefly describe a scenario where a high-quality item saves money over a specific timeframe. Overall, the response is balanced and directly answers the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two sides of the argument is smooth, using phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'furthermore', 'additionally', and 'in contrast' are used effectively to link sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from start to finish. There are no issues with referencing or mechanical repetition.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'long-term investment', 'unnecessary clothing consumption', and 'environmentally responsible' show a good command of topic-specific language. You also use collocations effectively, such as 'limited incomes' and 'exceeding their budget'. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9. However, there are no errors in word choice that impede communication, and the language used is precise throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'while I agree that...' and 'which can be especially useful for...'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. There is a minor punctuation error in the final paragraph where a sentence fragment occurs: 'In conclusion, although people should invest in a few costly clothes to save money in the long run. From my perspective...'. This should ideally be one connected sentence. Despite this, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is strong.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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