Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-01

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)

Companies, at the present are focused to advertise their products in a different manner. They try their best to make the public aware about the new features and capabilities of their products, wider range of applications which would eventually bring a rise in the sales and better competition in the market. I think it is a negative development because companies are advertising in new ways just to manipulate the consumers and make them purchase their products.

Through advertisements, businesses nowadays are showing their products in new ways. Claiming that the products have better features, for instance, a smartphone company advertising the latest phone has the fastest processor, the best quality cameras and long battery life. This claims would obviously make the buyers curious about the product and they consider getting it. This will directly uplift the sales number of the product. And it will eventually help the company to compete in the market and establish a brand.

But I think its more of a negative development rather than a positive one. As the consumers come across these advertisements, they are fascinated by the claimed new features and get the product. In the case of smartphones, users find very little upgrade over their past devices which in not even noticeable. This could bring a financial burden to the consumer and also produce electronic waste in the case of new smartphone purchase. Similarly, I think new ways of advertising brings more negatives in other aspects as well.

In conclusion, companies are showing their products for their sole benefit and the consumers are the one who want their hands on the product and feel disappointed after purchasing.

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 limited. While you provide a clear example regarding smartphones, the explanation of 'why' businesses do this is a bit repetitive, focusing primarily on sales rather than exploring broader marketing strategies or consumer psychology. The position is clear throughout, but the arguments could be extended with more depth to reach a higher band. To improve, ensure you explore the implications of your arguments more thoroughly rather than just stating the outcome.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'for instance', 'similarly', and 'in conclusion', which help the flow. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You use a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your meaning, such as 'manipulate', 'fascinated', and 'financial burden'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'focused to advertise' (should be 'focused on advertising') and 'uplift the sales number' (should be 'boost sales figures'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations and less common academic vocabulary. Avoid repeating basic words like 'products' and 'new' too frequently; using synonyms will make your writing more sophisticated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'at the present are focused' (missing subject/preposition), 'This claims' (subject-verb agreement error), and 'in the case of new smartphone purchase' (article usage). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensure that your complex sentences are punctuated accurately.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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