Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13

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 6.5)

It is often argued that people should buy a small number of expensive clothes rather than purchasing many cheaper ones. I agree with this view because high-quality clothing is generally more durable and can be more economical in the long term. My stance is justified in the fourthcoming paraghraphs. with valid reasons and appropriate examples.

First and foremost advantage is durability and quality. Expensive clothes are made with expensive and reliable material. As well as, it is properly stitched so it wont be easily worn out. As a result, they are less likely to become damaged or lose their shape after repeated washing. For example, a good-quality winter coat may remain in excellent condition for many years, whereas a cheaper coat might need to be replaced every one or two years. Therefore, although the initial cost is higher, purchasing durable clothes can reduce spending over time.

Secondly, it can encourage people to consume more responsibly. When individuals buy fewer items, they are less likely to follow every short-lived fashion trend and throw clothes away after a few months. For instance, instead of buying several inexpensive shirts every year, a person could purchase two or three well-made shirts that can be worn for a long period.

However, cheaper clothing also has some benefits. Not everyone has enough money to purchase expensive garments, and affordable clothes allow people with limited incomes to have a wider range of choices. Some clothes are purchsed only for few ocassions so it is better to get it for cheaper price. For instance, a student may prefer to buy a low-cost outfit for a party rather than spending a large amount on something that will rarely be worn.

In conclusion, I believe that buying a few high-quality and expensive clothes is generally a better choice because they tend to last longer, provide better value for money, and reduce waste. Nevertheless, cheaper clothing can still be a practical option for people on a limited budget.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by taking a clear position and exploring both sides of the argument before reaffirming the writer's stance. In the introduction, the writer clearly states agreement with the idea that buying expensive, high-quality clothes is preferable. The body paragraphs are well-developed with relevant explanations and examples. For instance, the discussion on durability contrasted with cheaper alternatives provides strong support. The writer also dedicates a paragraph to discussing the merits of cheaper clothing, demonstrating a balanced approach that helps develop the ideas effectively. The main arguments—durability, responsible consumption, and financial practicality—are well-supported throughout, satisfying the Band 7 criteria.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction through to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct main points, such as durability, sustainable consumption, counter-arguments regarding cheaper clothes, and the final summary. Cohesive devices are employed adequately to connect sentences and ideas, for example using phrases like 'First and foremost', 'As a result', 'Secondly', and 'However'. Although there are minor stylistic awkwardnesses in transitional sentences, such as 'My stance is justified in the fourthcoming paraghraphs. with valid reasons and appropriate examples', the overall logical flow and paragraph structure remain clear, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 to 7 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Words such as 'durable', 'economical', 'responsible', and 'practical' are used effectively. However, there are some spelling errors and minor infelicities in word choice, such as 'fourthcoming' instead of 'forthcoming', 'paraghraphs' instead of 'paragraphs', and 'purchsed' instead of 'purchased'. Additionally, 'ocassions' is misspelled as 'occasions'. Despite these lexical errors, communication is never impeded, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey the intended meanings clearly, meeting the requirements for Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional and comparative structures such as 'whereas a cheaper coat might need to be replaced' and 'when individuals buy fewer items, they are less likely to follow...'. There are, however, a number of grammatical and punctuation errors present. For example, punctuation is flawed in the introduction ('paraghraphs. with'), and there is an awkward fragment or run-on structure. Phrases like 'First and foremost advantage' miss a definite article ('The first and foremost advantage'), and 'so it wont be easily worn out' contains a punctuation omission. While these errors occur fairly frequently, they rarely impede overall communication, leading to a Band 6 score.

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