Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-01
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 5.5)
As we all know social media and trends whether it's about clothing beauty fashion trends or any other relevant things has such a great impact on this generation . And many aspects of the way people dress today is definitely influenced by global fashion trends moreover I think these trends and the influence of these trends have a positive but more likely a negative impact also , on younger generation especially.
If we talk about negative impact ,then global fashion trends have such a strong influence because especially younger generation which is obsessed with social media looks related trendy fashion tips and goods and thinks that these things make them look cool and if they don't follow latest trends so they might left behind in the race of today's social media and fashion .I believe this because I have seen people in my surrounding being so much possessive and obsessed with latest trends , buying trendy bags, jeweleries ,clothes even if it's a lot expensive and has no good use and whether if it doesn't worth a penny also . Which can create a burden more like a financial burden on their parents just to afford such expensive stuff . So I believe people are somehow ruining their life while running behind useless an pitiful fashion trends .
Furthermore, if there might be a positive influence, so it can be only that people with not good sense of dressing can get an idea how to dress properly how to make themselves look presentable , other than that I can not see a positive developmental affect of influence of global fashion trends .
I would like to add one more point on the negative impact is that those who just can not afford to run with these fashion trends might feel inferior than those who can so it basically creates a inferiority complex in you get immature people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the influence of global fashion and the evaluation of whether this is positive or negative. You clearly state your position that the influence is largely negative, though you acknowledge a minor positive aspect. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the explanation of why fashion is influential relies heavily on the concept of 'social media' without exploring broader factors like globalization or economic shifts. The arguments are repetitive, particularly regarding the financial burden on parents and the 'inferiority complex.' To reach a higher band, you should expand on your points with more nuanced examples and ensure the positive/negative evaluation is balanced more thoroughly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your argument. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'if we talk about negative impact, then' and 'if there might be a positive influence, so it can be only' are awkward and do not flow naturally. Additionally, some sentences are run-on, such as the opening sentence, which lacks proper punctuation to separate distinct ideas. While there is a logical progression from the introduction to the body paragraphs, the transitions between ideas could be smoother and more varied to improve the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. You rely on basic descriptors like 'good,' 'bad,' and 'cool.' There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'possessive and obsessed' (possessive is usually used for relationships or objects, not trends) and 'pitiful fashion trends.' Some terms are used incorrectly, such as 'developmental affect' instead of 'developmental effect.' To improve, focus on using more academic collocations and precise terminology related to social influence and consumer behaviour.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement ('many aspects... is definitely influenced'), missing articles, and incorrect punctuation. For example, 'if they don't follow latest trends so they might left behind' contains multiple errors in tense and structure. The use of commas and full stops is inconsistent, leading to long, fragmented sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with correct conjunctions and verb forms.
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.