Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-22

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 6.0)

Advertising plays a significant role in modern consumer behaviour, and some people believe that it strongly affects what people choose to purchase. Others, however, argue that consumers are not greatly influenced by advertisements. Although both views have some merit, I believe that advertising has a considerable influence on purchasing decisions, particularly when consumers are unfamiliar with a product.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why advertising can strongly influence consumers. Firstly, advertisements provide information about products and can make people aware of goods that they may not otherwise consider buying. Companies often use attractive images, persuasive language and positive reviews to create a favourable impression of their. Consumers may not have enough information to make a decision independently, so they can rely on advertising when comparing different products. For example, a person who is looking for a new smartphone may become interested in a particular model after seeing an advertisement that highlights its camera, battery life and other features. Therefore, advertising can play an important role in shaping consumer choices.

On the other hand, it is also argued that advertisements have a limited effect because many consumers make purchasing decisions based on their own needs, experiences and financial circumstances. People who have used a particular brand for many years may continue buying it because they trust its quality, regardless of how frequently it is advertised. Similarly, consumers may see an attractive advertisement, but they are unlikely to purchase the product if it is too expensive or does not meet their needs. For instance, a student with a limited budget may notice an advertisement for an expensive laptop but choose a cheaper alternative after comparing prices and specifications.Nevertheless, I believe that advertising still has a substantial influence because it can create awareness and shape people's perceptions, especially when they are considering an unfamiliar product.

In conclusion, while some people make purchasing decisions independently of advertising, I believe that advertisements can significantly influence consumers by providing information and creating positive perceptions of products. This influence is particularly strong when people are unfamiliar with the available choices.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to address the specific prompt provided. The task asks why businesses emphasise that their products are 'new' and whether this is a positive or negative development. Instead, the essay discusses the general influence of advertising on consumer behaviour. While the writing is coherent and relevant to the topic of advertising, it does not answer the specific question regarding the 'newness' of products. Consequently, the response is off-topic, which significantly impacts the score for Task Achievement as the main requirements of the prompt were not met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, and the progression of the argument is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Firstly', 'Similarly', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. Despite the off-topic content, the internal organisation of the text is strong and demonstrates a good command of cohesive structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. There is a good range of topic-specific vocabulary such as 'consumer behaviour', 'purchasing decisions', 'favourable impression', and 'specifications'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would be required for a higher band score. Word choice is generally accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede the reader's understanding of the points being made.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the text, with very few errors. Complex sentences, such as 'Although both views have some merit, I believe that advertising has a considerable influence...', are handled well. Punctuation is generally correct, although there is a minor spacing error in the first paragraph ('impression of their.'). Overall, the control of grammar is strong, and the errors present are non-systematic and do not hinder communication.

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