Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-13

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

In their advertising, businesses are currently promoting their products in a new way. From my perspective, it's a better way to introduce a new product to the public. I argue that advertising in a new way is a beneficial development.

To begin with, at the moment, businesses promote products in new ways because companies want customers' attention. For example, there are many kinds of businesses available; alternatively, different brands such as mobile phones, clothes and makeup products. Therefore, they should enhance their products and quality compared to other brands. The purpose of running the business is to boost their sales and earn people's trust. Moreover, there are many competitors in the market who are promoting the same business and strategy. So, businesses should work hard and enhance their product quality to make money and build an attractive reputation for their brand.

On the other hand, I consider that it is an advantageous development to attract a huge number of customers. Introducing their product in a modern way can increase their brand reputation. For instance, currently, the majority of the population uses mobile phones instead of reading newspapers. Therefore, it's a good way to advertise their product through social media and sell their product online. By using online platforms to introduce and sell their product is another benefit is that it reduces staff salaries and expenses of the outlet.

In conclusion, I argue that businesses are currently using modern ways to introduce their product to customers. It's a better way to explain their item features and quality. I believe advertising in a modern way is beneficial to attract more customers and build a strong sales rate.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: why businesses emphasize 'newness' and whether this is positive or negative. However, the development is somewhat repetitive. You explain that businesses want attention and need to compete, which is relevant, but the arguments lack depth. For instance, the link between 'newness' and 'product quality' is asserted rather than fully explored. To reach a higher band, ensure each paragraph introduces a distinct, well-supported idea rather than restating the same point about competition and sales. The position is clear throughout, but the supporting examples could be more specific to the concept of 'newness' rather than general advertising.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' to link your points. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the sentence 'By using online platforms to introduce and sell their product is another benefit is that it reduces staff salaries' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the cohesion of the paragraph. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring sentence-level coherence will help you achieve a higher score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'competitors', 'reputation', and 'online platforms'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic words like 'product', 'business', and 'way'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and collocations related to marketing and consumer behavior. For instance, instead of 'new way', you could use 'innovative approach' or 'novel marketing strategy'. The current vocabulary is sufficient for communication but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For example, 'By using online platforms to introduce and sell their product is another benefit is that it reduces...' is a fragmented and confusing sentence structure. Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and preposition choice. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and avoiding run-on or fragmented sentences.

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