Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-11

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 7.0)

Individuals are gradually losing their sense of uniqueness due to the growing influence of global fashion trends and social media culture. As people become increasingly exposed to identical styles and online personalities, it is now common to observe striking similarities in the way individuals dress and behave. In my opinion, the rapid development of technology and social media has significantly contributed to the decline of individuality, particularly among younger generations who often seek validation online.

One major cause of this issue is the overwhelming influence of social media platforms. Nowadays, people spend hours scrolling through applications such as TikTok and Instagram, where they are constantly exposed to international trends and influencer culture. In addition, algorithms repeatedly display content that matches users’ interests, encouraging them to consume similar ideas and styles. As a result, many individuals begin imitating what they observe online without considering whether these trends genuinely reflect their personalities.

Another important factor is the human desire to fit in socially. Teenagers and young adults are especially vulnerable to peer pressure and online influence. For example, a recent article revealed that many high school students in the United Kingdom participated in viral TikTok fashion trends mainly because they wanted to feel accepted by their peers. Furthermore, many students admitted that following these trends made them feel less authentic and more disconnected from their true identities.

Consequently, the gradual loss of individuality may lead to a society where originality and self-expression become increasingly rare. Throughout history, individuality has played an important role in creativity and cultural diversity. However, if people continue prioritising online approval over genuine self-expression, society may eventually become repetitive and lacking in originality.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly explain how global fashion influences lives through social media and the human desire for social acceptance. Your position is consistent throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of TikTok and the UK study. To reach a higher band, you could further explore the nuance of whether this influence is entirely negative or if there are potential benefits, such as the democratisation of style or global cultural exchange, to provide a more balanced perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'As a result', and 'Furthermore' effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. The transition between the causes of the influence and the consequences is smooth, demonstrating a good command of organisational structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'striking similarities', 'vulnerable to peer pressure', and 'genuine self-expression' show a good level of precision. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterise a band 8 or 9 response. However, the language is natural and effectively conveys your meaning without any errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as 'As people become increasingly exposed to...' and 'if people continue prioritising...'. The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is clear and professional. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of advanced structures, such as inversion or more complex conditional forms, to demonstrate even greater flexibility.

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

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