Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14
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 7.5)
Nowadays, the way people dress is increasingly shaped by global fashion trends. Thanks to advances in technology, international brands and social media, fashion has become more influential than ever before. While this trend offers several benefits, I believe it also has some negative consequences. Overall, I consider it to be a largely negative development.
One of the main reasons global fashion has gained such a strong influence is the widespread use of the internet and social media platforms. Celebrities, influencers and fashion designers can instantly share new styles with millions of people around the world. In addition, international clothing brands operate in many countries, making similar products easily available to consumers regardless of where they live. As a result, people are constantly exposed to new trends and often feel encouraged to follow them.
On the positive side, global fashion allows people to express themselves and learn about different cultures through clothing. It also creates economic opportunities by supporting the fashion and retail industries. For example, many local designers can now promote their products to international customers through online platforms.
However, I believe the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. The desire to keep up with changing trends encourages excessive spending and promotes a culture of consumerism. Many people, especially teenagers, feel pressure to buy expensive clothes simply to fit in with their peers. Furthermore, global fashion can weaken traditional clothing styles and cultural identity, as younger generations may prefer international brands over local attire. Fast fashion also contributes to environmental pollution due to the significant amount of textile waste it generates.
In conclusion, although global fashion has made clothing more accessible and diverse, its impact on consumer behaviour, cultural traditions and the environment makes it a largely negative development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the drivers of global fashion (technology, social media, international brands) and provide a balanced discussion before taking a firm stance that the development is largely negative. Your arguments regarding consumerism, cultural erosion, and environmental impact are well-developed and logically extended. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the ideas are supported with relevant examples, such as the pressure on teenagers and the impact of fast fashion. To reach the highest band, you could further deepen the analysis by exploring the nuance of how local cultures might adapt rather than just disappear.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the positive and negative aspects is handled smoothly using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the positive side' and 'However'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical, guiding the reader through your argument without confusion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear. The essay demonstrates a high level of control over the structure, making it easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'widespread use', 'excessive spending', 'cultural identity', and 'textile waste' show a solid grasp of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with precision and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. Overall, the lexical choices are accurate and help convey your ideas effectively without any noticeable errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of participial phrases ('Thanks to advances in technology...') and conditional-like structures ('as younger generations may prefer...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There is a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the text, which allows for smooth reading. The mix of simple and complex sentences is well-balanced, and there are no significant errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.
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