Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-25

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 8.0)

Global fashion trends, propagated through social media, celebrity culture, and international retail chains, now shape how millions of people dress regardless of where they live. In my view, while this globalisation of style offers genuine benefits, it also carries notable drawbacks that outweigh its advantages.

Several factors explain the pervasiveness of global fashion. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok allow trends originating in one country to reach a worldwide audience within hours, collapsing the geographical barriers that once kept regional styles distinct. Furthermore, multinational clothing brands operate in nearly every major city, meaning a teenager in Mumbai can wear the same jacket as one in Milan. Celebrities and influencers reinforce this further, as their endorsements are broadcast instantly to millions of followers who then emulate their choices.

I would argue that this development is, on balance, negative, despite some clear upsides. On the positive side, global fashion fosters a sense of shared identity among young people and gives consumers far greater choice and affordability than local markets alone could provide. However, the drawbacks are more significant. Firstly, the dominance of a handful of global brands has eroded traditional and regional clothing cultures; younger generations increasingly abandon garments like the sari or the kimono in favour of Western-style attire, resulting in a gradual loss of cultural heritage. Secondly, the fast-fashion model that drives these trends encourages excessive consumption and generates enormous textile waste, contributing significantly to environmental degradation. Finally, constant exposure to shifting trends can pressure individuals, particularly teenagers, into spending beyond their means simply to keep up appearances.

In conclusion, although global fashion connects people and broadens consumer choice, its costs to cultural diversity, the environment, and individual finances make it, overall, a concerning trend rather than a beneficial one.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly explain the reasons for the influence of global fashion, citing social media, celebrity culture, and retail chains. Your position is consistent and well-developed throughout the essay. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the benefits of shared identity and consumer choice before presenting a strong, well-supported argument regarding the negative impacts on cultural heritage, the environment, and personal finances. The ideas are extended with relevant examples, such as the mention of the sari and kimono, which adds depth to your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers both components of the task.

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 aspects and the negative drawbacks is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'However' and 'On the positive side'. The use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' ensures that the flow of the argument is easy to follow. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, the explanation of the influence, the evaluation of the development, and the conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the essay maintains a professional and academic tone.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary that is used with precision. Phrases such as 'propagated through', 'collapsing the geographical barriers', 'emulate their choices', and 'environmental degradation' show a high level of lexical control. You use less common items effectively, and the collocations are natural and appropriate for the context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your arguments. The language is varied and avoids repetition, reflecting a strong command of English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with high accuracy. You effectively use subordinate clauses, such as 'while this globalisation of style offers genuine benefits, it also carries notable drawbacks', and conditional structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms that enhance the readability of the text. The grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout, with no errors that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.