Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-18

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 6.5)

In today's competitive marketplace, businesses often highlight that their products are new, improved, or innovative. They do this to attract customers' attention and increase sales. While this trend can encourage innovation, I believe it is largely a negative development because it promotes unnecessary consumption.

One reason companies focus on newness is that consumers are naturally attracted to fresh and innovative products. People often associate new products with better quality, advanced technology, and improved performance. As a result, businesses use advertising to convince customers that their latest products are superior to previous versions. For example, smartphone manufacturers release updated models every year and promote new features, encouraging consumers to upgrade their devices regularly.

Another reason is the intense competition in modern markets. Since many companies sell similar products, highlighting new features helps a business distinguish itself from its competitors. This strategy can increase brand visibility and persuade consumers to choose one product over another.

However, I believe this development has more disadvantages than advantages. Constant advertising of new products encourages a culture of excessive consumption. Many people replace perfectly functional items simply because a newer version is available. This behaviour leads to unnecessary spending and contributes to environmental problems through increased waste and resource consumption. Furthermore, some advertisements exaggerate small improvements, which may mislead consumers about the actual benefits of the product.

In conclusion, businesses highlight the novelty of their products mainly to attract customers and compete effectively in the market. Although this can encourage innovation, I believe it is a negative trend overall because it promotes consumerism and creates environmental challenges.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by explaining why businesses emphasise new products and providing a clear stance on whether this is a positive or negative development. The position is well maintained throughout the essay. For instance, the introduction clearly states the writer's view that it is 'largely a negative development because it promotes unnecessary consumption.' The body paragraphs present well-developed reasons, such as consumer psychology, competitive market pressures, and the environmental consequences of excessive consumption. Each idea is extended logically, supported by relevant examples like smartphone manufacturers releasing updated models annually. The response meets all the requirements of this criterion for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introductory position to reasons for the trend, counter-arguments regarding innovation, and the final conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'As a result,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion,' which guide the reader seamlessly through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each new paragraph introducing a logical step in the overall discourse. Referencing and substitution are handled securely, ensuring that relationships between ideas remain transparent and easy to follow at all times.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'competitive marketplace,' 'excessicve consumption,' and 'brand visibility.' Word choices are generally precise and successfully convey the intended meaning, as seen in phrases like 'perfecly functional items' and 'exaggerate small improvements.' While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated or rare enough to push into the highest bands, it is adequate for fluency and precision. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the response, ensuring that communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writer displays a good command of grammar and punctuation, utilising a variety of complex sentence structures effectively. Examples include conditional and participial constructions such as 'While this trend can encourage innovation, I believe...' and 'Since many companies sell similar products, highlighting new features helps...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. Where complex structures are attempted, they are generally well-controlled with only occasional minor slips. The grammatical control is strong and supports clear communication across the entire response.

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