Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19

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)

In today’s increasingly connected world, global fashion trends have become a significant influence on the way people dress. This is largely due to the rapid growth of social media, international businesses and popular culture. In my view, although this development has some negative consequences, it is generally positive because it encourages cultural exchange and provides people with greater freedom of expression.

One of the main reasons for the growing influence of global fashion is social media. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube allow celebrities, influencers and fashion brands to reach millions of people across the world within seconds. As a result, a style that becomes popular in one country can quickly be adopted elsewhere. Furthermore, international online shopping has made fashionable clothing from foreign brands much more accessible. People are therefore no longer limited to the styles available in their local markets.

I believe this is predominantly a positive development. Exposure to international fashion can promote cultural exchange, as people become familiar with clothing styles and designs from other societies. For example, traditional patterns and garments from Asian and African cultures are increasingly incorporated into modern fashion. This can encourage people to appreciate cultures different from their own. Moreover, having access to a wider range of styles allows individuals to express their personalities and choose clothing according to their preferences.

Nevertheless, global fashion can also encourage excessive consumerism. People may feel pressured to buy new clothes whenever trends change, resulting in unnecessary spending and increased textile waste. Despite this, consumers can reduce these effects by buying fewer, higher-quality items and continuing to value traditional clothing.

In conclusion, global fashion has become highly influential because of social media, international commerce and popular culture. Although it can contribute to consumerism, I believe its overall impact is positive because it promotes cultural awareness and gives people greater freedom of self-expression.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the prompt, answering both how global fashion has become such a strong influence and whether this is a positive or negative development. A clear, well-supported position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. The reasons provided for fashion's influence—such as the rapid growth of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, alongside international e-commerce—are well-developed with logical explanations. Furthermore, the discussion regarding the positive aspects, including cultural exchange and self-expression, is balanced nicely with an acknowledgement of the negative consequences, such as excessive consumerism and textile waste. The ideas are extended effectively and supported with relevant examples, demonstrating a high level of task fulfillment in line with Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introductory overview, moving into the causes of global fashion's influence, exploring the positive impacts, addressing the negative consequences, and concluding neatly. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless', which guide the reader smoothly from one idea to another without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to separate distinct arguments, satisfying the criteria for a high band score in coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the academic topic of global fashion trends and consumerism. Less common lexical items are used naturally, including phrases like 'excessive consumerism', 'cultural exchange', 'freedom of self-expression', and 'international commerce'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and precise. While the vocabulary is fluent and sophisticated enough to convey fine shades of meaning, occasional minor inaccuracies or common collocations prevent it from reaching the highest tier, firmly placing this response in the Band 7 to 8 range for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay features a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and varied sentence openings, such as 'In today’s increasingly connected world...' and 'Platforms such as Instagram... allow celebrities... to reach millions...'. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and punctuation is managed securely throughout. Control over grammar is strong, with only occasional minor slips that never impede communication, fully justifying a Band 8 for grammatical range and accuracy.

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