Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-16

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 considered prudent to purchase a few costly garments, instead of numerous inexpensive ones. I strongly agree with this view because slow fashion is more economical and sustainable than fast fashion. Although consumers spend more in beggining, expensive clothes offer better quality and last longer, thereby reducing the need to buy lots of cheaper clothes, which otherwise can contribute to higher amounts of environmental waste.

The primary reason is that slow fashion is more economical than fast fashion. Fashion trends change every day, and consumers who support fast fashion buy lots of cheaper clothes frequently, which get outdated within a few months. Whereas branded clothing designs are classic and can be worn regularly without worrying about changing dressing styles. For example, a pair of Nike shoes is unlikely to go out of fashion compared to a pair of cheap trendy shoes. Therefore, investing in good quality products is promising and provides value for money by lasting longer.

Another important reason why expensive clothes should be prioritized is that they are more durable. This means that due to better quality they can last a considerably longer time in contrast to cheaper lower quality clothes. As a result, consumers do not need to shop again and again, which declines manufacturing demand. Consequently, it reduces the air and water pollution associated with manufacturing and transportation of clothing. For example, an Adidas jacket may last longer when compared to a locally manufactured cheap jacket. Thus, shopping branded good quality apparel can be more environmentally sustainable.

In conclusion, although expensive clothes need higher investment in the beginning, they do not get out of fashion and provide higher durability than cheaper clothes. Therefore, purchasing fewer expensive clothes is preferred because of the economical and the environmental benefits they offer in comparison to numerous cheaper clothes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student presents a clear position throughout the response, agreeing with the statement that buying fewer expensive clothes is preferable to buying numerous cheaper ones. Both body paragraphs provide relevant reasons supported by examples, such as comparing Nike or Adidas products to cheaper alternatives. The ideas are well-extended and cover both the economic and environmental benefits of slow fashion. The prompt is fully addressed in a balanced and coherent manner, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. The response meets all criteria for a Band 7.0 by maintaining a clear position and supporting ideas with relevant explanation and examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response features a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's stance, followed by two distinct body paragraphs focusing on economic reasons and environmental sustainability respectively, and concluding appropriately. Cohesive devices such as 'The primary reason is', 'Whereas', and 'As a result' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, though referencing and paragraphing could occasionally be smoother. Overall, the structural progression clearly aligns with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision, using terms such as 'prudent', 'slow fashion', 'fast fashion', and 'environmental waste'. There is an awareness of style and collocation, seen in phrases like 'value for money' and 'manufacturing demand'. However, there are some occasional word choice and spelling errors, such as 'beggining' instead of 'beginning' and 'shopping branded good quality apparel' instead of 'purchasing branded, high-quality apparel'. These minor issues place the lexical control firmly at Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'Although consumers spend more in beginning, expensive clothes offer better quality...'). There is a reasonable variety of structures with frequent error-free sentences. However, some minor grammatical inaccuracies occur, including missing articles ('in beggining' instead of 'in the beginning') and slight awkwardness in phrasing like 'which declines manufacturing demand' instead of 'which reduces the demand for manufacturing'. These errors do not impede communication, supporting a Band 7.0 score.

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