Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-25

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 5.5)

Nowadays, clothes have become key aspect of reflecting personality. Some people think it is a good option to buy a few clothes which are costlier instead of purchasing many of less-expensive ones. I totally disagree with the statement. In this essay I will describe the reason for my opinion with an example.

First of all, currently it is a trend to wear new attire on every occasions. In simple words, people want a new look in all special festivals by wearing new clothes. Therefore, it is a better option to buy more clothes at alower price, rather than spending a lot of money on purchasing a few clothes. For example, many online sites are available which sell clothes at a low price.

Secondly, people want to look rich by not repeating clothes. In other words, by wearing different clothes individuals think that a person might be rich as he is wearing new clothes.

Thirdly, people might feel bored after wearing same expensive clothes for 2 or 3 times. To simplify, it is a human nature to want something new to feel and enjoy the occasion. Therefore, it is essential to buy more clothes. For instance, I usually prefer to buy a new outfit for my birthday as I want to feel special at my birthday.

In conclusion, I firmly disgaree with the staement. I think it is beetr to buy lots of cheaper clothes because a new look at all occasions, not repeating cloths to look rich and feeling bored by wearing same clothes are main points for my disgareement with the statement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear from the introduction—“I totally disagree”—and remains consistent in the conclusion. You give three relevant reasons: wanting new outfits for occasions, avoiding repeated clothes, and feeling bored with the same expensive items. The birthday example adds a personal detail. However, the reasons are mostly asserted rather than explained: for instance, the claim that different clothes make people appear rich needs clarification, and the online-shopping example does not show why buying many cheaper clothes is better overall. To strengthen the response, develop each point with a clearer explanation and a more specific example, and consider acknowledging a benefit of expensive clothes before explaining why it does not change your view.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, three body paragraphs signposted by “First of all,” “Secondly,” and “Thirdly,” and a conclusion that restates your view. This makes the main line of argument easy to follow. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical: “In simple words,” “In other words,” and “To simplify” repeatedly introduce restatements rather than adding development. The second reason is also brief and does not connect clearly to the first or third. Use fewer formulaic transitions and build each paragraph through a reason, explanation, and supporting example. Clearer links between the ideas would make the argument flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “attire,” “personality,” “special occasions,” and “low price,” and the reader can generally understand your meaning. However, the range is limited and several choices or combinations sound unnatural, such as “on every occasions,” “a new look in all special festivals,” and “a person might be rich as he is wearing new clothes.” Spelling errors such as “disgaree,” “staement,” “beetr,” and “cloths” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise, natural phrases and check spelling carefully. For example, you could describe clothes as “affordable” and explain that people want “a varied wardrobe” rather than simply saying they want new clothes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “because” and “as,” and your main meaning is usually understandable. However, errors in articles, agreement, plurals, and sentence construction remain noticeable. Examples include “clothes have become key aspect” (missing article), “on every occasions” (number agreement), “wearing same expensive clothes” (missing article), and “it is beetr to buy” (incorrect verb construction). Some sentences also have awkward or incomplete grammatical patterns, such as “people want a new look in all special festivals.” Review article use, singular and plural forms, and sentence patterns, then proofread each sentence for a complete and accurate structure.

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