Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

It is considered prudent to purchase a few costly garments rather than numerous inexpensive ones. I strongly agree with this view because slow gashion is generally more economical than fast fashion. Although consumers may spend more initially, high-quality clothes tend to last longer and retain their value, reducing the need for frequent replacement and, consequently, the environmental waste associated with clothing production.

The primary reason for favouring expensive garments is that they can be more economical in the long term. Fashion trends change rapidly, encouraging consumers who follow fast fashion to purchase large quanitities of inexpensive clothing that may become outdated within a few months. By contrast, many well-made garments have timeless designs and can be worn for years without being significantly affected by changing trends. For example, a well-designed pair of Nike shoes may remain fashionable and functional for considerably longer than a cheaply manufactured pair bought solely because it reflects a temporary trend. Therefore, investing in durable, versatile clothing can provide considerably better value for money.

Another important consideration is the environmental benefit of puchasing fewer, higher-quality garments. Superior materials and construction generally make expensive clothes more duarble, meaning that consumers do not need to replace them as frequently. This reduces demand for the manufacture and transportation of new clothing, both which consume substantial amounts of energy and water and generate pollution. For instance, a high-quality Adidas jacket may remain wearable for several years, whereas a cheaply produced jacket may need to be replaced much sooner. Consequenty, choosing durable clothing can help reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.

In conclusion, although expensive clothes require a greater initial investment, their durability and timelessness can make them more economical overtime. Purchasing fewer, higher-quality garments is therefore a more sustainable approach because it reduces both unnecessary expenditure and the environmental impact of frequent clothing consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating and maintaining a well-developed position throughout. The writer presents a strong argument in favour of buying fewer, higher-quality clothes, supporting this view with logical reasons regarding economic value and environmental sustainability. Ideas are extended effectively, and relevant examples, such as comparing branded shoes and jackets with cheaply manufactured alternatives, are provided to substantiate the claims. The conclusion neatly summarises the main points without introducing new information. The overall treatment of the prompt demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements and is fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced, and the essay flows smoothly from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic, namely economic longevity and environmental benefits. Cohesive devices are managed well, using transition markers such as 'The primary reason', 'By contrast', and 'Another important consideration' effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing is clear throughout the text, and overall logical organisation and progression are maintained.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for discussing fashion and consumerism. Less common vocabulary items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'initial investment', 'timeless designs', 'temporary trend', and 'environmental footprint'. There are only a few minor typos or spelling errors, such as 'gashion' in the introduction, 'quanitities', and 'duarble', but these are occasional and do not impede communication. The precision in word choice allows the writer to convey subtle arguments regarding economic and environmental impacts effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses, used accurately. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control. Punctuation is handled well, and complex structures such as 'Although consumers may spend more initially, high-quality clothes tend to last longer...' are constructed smoothly. Minor slips do occur, such as the missing article in 'both which consume', but these are very occasional and do not detract from the overall clarity and precision of the writing.

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