Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-19

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 7.5)

It is often argued that buying a small number of expensive clothes is better than purchasing many cheap-quality clothes. I agree with this notion because purchasing a smaller number of high-quality garments offers greater durability and means that they can be used for a longer period of time.

One of the major advantages of buying expensive clothes is that they are often made from high-quality materials, which provides consumers with peace of mind because they do not need to replace their clothes frequently. For instance, purchasing a good-quality coat can provide durability for a minimum of three to four years, whereas cheaper clothes may become damaged or lose their quality after being worn several times. Secondly, buying a limited number of stylish and expensive clothes can help people keep their wardrobes clean and tidy. For example, purchasing too many cheap clothes can result in unnecessary items in a wardrobe, which may make it difficult to choose suitable clothing for special occasions.

Another crucial point is that prestigious clothing can enhance a person's appearance and confidence, as the clothes they wear can represent their personal identity and social image. A relevant example is the formal suits worn by people in the UK at royal events, where appropriate and high-quality clothing is considered important. Furthermore, stylish and well-made clothing can improve an individual's overall appearance and create a positive impression on others.

However, cheaper clothes are not necessarily worse, particularly for people with limited budgets. In my view, clothing does not need to be expensive simply because of its brand or price. Instead, consumers should focus on the quality of the material and the durability of the garment. These factors make a more significant difference in the long term.

To conclude, I believe that buying a small number of high-quality clothes is generally better than purchasing many cheap ones because durable clothing can last longer, keep wardrobes organised and improve a person's overall appearance. However, consumers should prioritise quality and durability rather than simply paying a higher price.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a position in the introduction and supporting it throughout the body paragraphs. The student explores the arguments surrounding durability, wardrobe management, and appearance, and even acknowledges the opposing view regarding budget constraints in the fourth paragraph. Ideas are well-developed and extended with relevant examples, such as mentioning the durability of a good-quality coat for three to four years and formal suits worn at royal events in the UK. The stance is maintained consistently from the introduction to the conclusion, resulting in a solid Band 7.5 level of task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, beginning with a clear introductory thesis and followed by body paragraphs introduced by logical signposts such as "One of the major advantages", "Secondly", and "Another crucial point". Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments, and paragraphing is managed appropriately. Reference pronouns and substitution are handled smoothly, ensuring that relationships between ideas are clear. The conclusion successfully summarises the main points. This aligns well with the Band 7.5 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suitable for the task. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, such as "garments", "durability", "prestigious clothing", and "unnecessary items". Word choice is generally precise, although there are minor issues, such as "cheap-quality clothes" instead of "poor-quality clothes". Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay. The lexical resource supports the communication of ideas effectively, justifying a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, demonstrating good overall control of grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include relative clauses and conditional-like contrastive sentences, such as "purchasing a good-quality coat can provide durability for a minimum of three to four years, whereas cheaper clothes may become damaged..." Frequent error-free sentences are present, and any minor mechanical or structural slips do not impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly to demarcate clauses and items in a list. This performance meets the criteria for a Band 7.0.

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