Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-02
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 6.0)
1. Better Quality and Durability
Expensive clothes are made with good materials and strong stitching. Because of this, they last for a long time. For example, if you buy one good winter jacket, you can wear it for five years. Cheap clothes usually get damaged after washing them a few times, so you have to throw them away quickly.
2. Saving Money in the Long Run
Many people think cheap clothes save money, but this is not true. If you buy a cheap T-shirt for $5 and it breaks in a month, you must buy another one. If you buy a good T-shirt for $30, it can last for years. In the end, buying cheap things makes you spend more money frequently.
3. Helping the Environment
Making lots of cheap clothes produces a lot of waste and pollution. This is called "fast fashion." When we buy fewer clothes, factories make less waste. This is much better for our planet and nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying a small number of expensive clothes is a smart choice. It saves money over time, gives you better quality items, and protects the environment.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response addresses the prompt by clearly presenting a position in favour of buying fewer expensive clothes, and supports this view with relevant arguments regarding durability, financial savings, and environmental impact. However, it falls short of the minimum length requirement, containing only 189 words instead of the required 250 words. This under-length means that while the ideas are relevant, some points, such as the environmental impact paragraph, remain under-developed and lack extension. To reach a higher band, the response must meet the word count minimum and expand each body paragraph with more detailed explanations and specific examples.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from durability to financial and environmental benefits. The writer uses numbered headings and bullet-like points for structure, which gives it a slightly unusual layout for an essay, but paragraphing is generally handled sufficiently. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'Many people think', and 'In conclusion' are used to connect ideas, though referencing and transitions can occasionally feel mechanical. To improve coherence and cohesion, the response should adopt standard essay formatting without numbered sections and employ a wider, more seamless variety of cohesive links between paragraphs.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, demonstrating an attempt to incorporate less common vocabulary such as 'durability', 'frequently', and 'fast fashion'. There are occasional limitations and straightforward word choices, but the terminology is generally clear and communicates the intended meaning without impeding the reader. Spelling and word forms are accurate throughout. To move to a higher band, the student should incorporate a broader range of sophisticated lexical items and less common collocations, avoiding repetitive phrasing such as repeatedly using 'cheap clothes' and 'expensive clothes'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures like 'if you buy a cheap T-shirt for $5 and it breaks in a month, you must buy another one.' There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they are infrequent and rarely impede communication. The control of verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is generally sound. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures with a greater frequency of error-free sentences.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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