Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Many aspects of the way people dress today are influenced by global fashion trends.

How has global fashion become such a strong influence on people's lives? Do you think this 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)

It is thought that the way individuals' dress today is heavily influenced by global fashion trends. In the ensuing essay, I will explain how these fashion trends influence people's lives, and why I think this is a very negative development.

The way these fashion trends influence human life is very subtle. We as a human being has something called a "Herding Mentality", which means if someone is famous and well-known, we would like to follow in their footsteps and hope to gain the same recognition. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube are the platforms from where many people can become famous, and through these people we are influenced in a way that we follow them in what they do and say in everyday life. In the same way, what these famous people wear on social media, people also follow these trends and start to wear those clothing. For example, Gucci released there new fashion bag recently, which is literally a simple plastic bag, but many social media influencers bought that bag and promoted on their social media pages. This became a trend, and in this way these the seemingly simple plastic bag became global sensation.

In my viewpoint, this is a very toxic development, and I strongly disagree with the view that we should follow these fashion trends. With today's volatile economy, we simply do not have the means to support and afford these trends. An average individual nowadays cannot afford his household expenses such as electricity and housing bills, so how can he afford to follow these trends. For example, the current trending bespoke pair of shoes cost about 500 dollars, and many social media influencers such as Pewdipie and Mr. Beast have promoted these shoes, so there followers naturally would follow them in buying these shoes, which leads to the number of problems such as not being able to pay their mortgage and electricity bills.

In conclusion, the people nowadays are heavily influenced by global fashion through social media influencers, and this is a very negative development. I hope that the people develop some awareness and stop following these trends, and focus on our own lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your response addresses both parts of the question: you explain the role of social media influencers in spreading fashion and clearly state that you see this as negative. The Gucci bag and expensive shoes provide relevant examples, and your position remains consistent. The explanation of how trends spread is the stronger part; the claim that followers may be unable to pay essential bills is less fully supported, and the essay could explain more directly why people are persuaded to imitate influencers. To strengthen the response, develop the causes and consequences with more precise reasoning and avoid broad claims such as “an average individual nowadays cannot afford” household expenses. This gives the answer a clear, relevant foundation, but not yet consistently developed support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the influence and your opinion, and a conclusion that restates your position. The progression from social media fame to clothing choices is generally easy to follow, and examples are placed in relevant paragraphs. However, some linking is mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “in this way,” and the long second paragraph contains several ideas that could be separated or more clearly connected. References such as “these people” and “these trends” are sometimes broad, so readers must infer exactly who or what is meant. Use a wider range of natural transitions and make links between claims and examples more explicit to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “Herding Mentality,” “volatile economy,” “recognition,” and “influencers.” These choices help communicate the main argument, and the meaning is generally clear. Some less common expressions are not used naturally or precisely: “toxic development” is forceful but vague, “global sensation” is an overstatement for the example, and “follow in their footsteps” is less exact when describing copying clothing choices. There are also word-choice and spelling slips, including “there” for “their” and “Youtube” rather than “YouTube.” Aim for more precise collocations and a consistent formal register, especially when describing financial effects and the spread of trends.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional and relative structures, and most of the argument remains understandable. However, some errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction reduce accuracy. For example, “We as a human being has” should be “We, as human beings, have,” while “many people can become famous, and through these people we are influenced” is an awkwardly joined construction that would benefit from clearer clause boundaries. The rhetorical question about affording trends also shifts from “an average individual” to “he,” making the reference less consistent. Review subject–verb agreement and build longer sentences around clearly controlled clauses; this would make your varied structures more reliable.

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