Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-28

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 9.0)

In today’s interconnected world, global fashion trends play a defining role in shaping how people dress across different cultures and regions. This widespread influence is primarily driven by mass media and fast-fashion supply chains, and I believe this shift is largely negative as it erodes cultural identity and fuels environmental degradation.

Global fashion has gained unprecedented influence mainly due to social media, digital advertising, and e-commerce. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow celebrity styles, influencer outfits, and runway trends to go viral instantly, exposing millions of users worldwide to identical aesthetic standards. Simultaneously, fast-fashion retailers leverage efficient global supply chains to mass-produce cheap imitations of these trends within days. Consequently, individuals anywhere in the world can easily view, desire, and purchase the exact same clothing items, creating a synchronized global wardrobe.

In my view, this rise of global fashion is a overwhelmingly negative development for two main reasons. Culturally, the homogenization of attire leads to the loss of traditional clothing styles and heritage. In many nations, traditional garments worn for daily life or special occasions are increasingly being abandoned in favor of Western-style streetwear, denim, and fast fashion, diluting rich regional identity and cultural diversity.

Equally concerning are the severe environmental and ethical consequences of this phenomenon. The relentless demand to keep up with rapidly shifting global trends encourages a throwaway culture, where clothes are discarded after only a few wears. This hyper-consumption generates massive amounts of textile waste in landfills, relies heavily on non-renewable synthetic fibers, and relies on cheap, often underpaid labor in developing countries. The planetary and human cost of maintaining global sartorial uniformity far outweighs any superficial benefits of convenience or modern aesthetic appeal.

In conclusion, global fashion has attained its dominant status through the powerful combination of digital media and ultra-fast manufacturing. However, this trend is ultimately damaging, as it strips societies of their unique cultural expressions while accelerating ecological damage and labor exploitation worldwide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

You have fully addressed both parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a logical explanation for the influence of global fashion, citing digital media and supply chains, and offer a well-reasoned argument regarding the negative impacts, specifically cultural erosion and environmental harm. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of TikTok and the shift toward Western-style streetwear. The response is balanced, focused, and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from the causes of the trend to the cultural and environmental consequences. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Simultaneously,' 'Consequently,' and 'Equally concerning,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow between sentences is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. The use of terms such as 'interconnected,' 'homogenization,' 'sartorial,' 'hyper-consumption,' and 'unprecedented' shows a high level of lexical control. You use collocations accurately, such as 'fueling environmental degradation' and 'strips societies of their unique cultural expressions.' The vocabulary is not only precise but also contributes to the academic tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is both fluent and flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

Your writing displays a wide range of complex structures used with high accuracy. You effectively employ subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and varied sentence lengths to maintain interest and clarity. For example, the sentence 'The relentless demand to keep up with rapidly shifting global trends encourages a throwaway culture, where clothes are discarded after only a few wears' is grammatically sophisticated and error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur in a longer text are absent here, reflecting a very high level of control.

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