Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-23
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)
The globalization of the retail industry and the rapid spread of digital media have made global fashion trends an inescapable presence in everyday life. This pervasive influence stems primarily from multinational fast-fashion networks and social media platforms, and while it poses distinct cultural and environmental challenges, I consider it a broadly positive development due to its role in democratizing self-expression and fostering cultural connection.
Global fashion has gained unprecedented influence primarily through two interconnected drivers: mass manufacturing and digital connectivity. Modern e-commerce and supply-chain logistics allow international brands to translate runway concepts into affordable consumer garments within weeks. Concurrently, platforms such as Instagram and TikTok expose millions of users worldwide to identical visual aesthetics in real time. Influencers, online advertisements, and targeted content algorithms continuously shape consumer tastes, making international fashion trends accessible to virtually anyone with an internet connection, regardless of their geographical location.
While critics point to the environmental footprint of mass textile production and the gradual decline of regional attire, the societal benefits of global fashion outweigh these drawbacks. Firstly, global fashion trends democratize personal identity. Historically, high fashion was reserved for the wealthy elite; today, affordable global trends allow individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in contemporary style culture and express their individuality. Secondly, a shared global aesthetic fosters a sense of cross-cultural unity among younger generations. Wearing similar styles creates a common visual language that bridges geographic boundaries, making people feel connected to a global community.
However, to ensure this movement remains positive long-term, fashion brands and consumers must address the industry's ecological impact by prioritizing sustainable materials and ethical production. When balanced with environmental responsibility, the global exchange of style serves as a vibrant tool for personal empowerment and cultural cohesion.
In conclusion, global fashion's reach is driven by the synergy between digital media and efficient global manufacturing. Although it requires greater commitment to environmental sustainability, its overall impact remains positive by offering accessible avenues for self-expression and connecting people across borders through shared aesthetic trends.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The writer clearly discusses why global fashion has become a strong influence, citing drivers such as mass manufacturing and digital media. Furthermore, the writer presents a well-developed, clear position throughout the essay, evaluating the phenomenon as a positive development despite cultural and environmental challenges. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the role of Instagram, TikTok, and rapid e-commerce supply chains. The progression of arguments is logical and directly answers every component of the prompt without any omissions or digressions. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement due to the comprehensive and well-developed nature of the ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting from a strong introductory stance, moving into drivers of global fashion, discussing counterarguments and benefits, acknowledging ecological impacts, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, such as 'Concurrently', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'However', which help guide the reader through the argumentation. Paragraphing is managed skilfully and appropriately, ensuring the structure supports the flow of ideas. Reference words are handled accurately, and there are no instances of faulty or mechanical cohesion. This meets the criteria for Band 8.
Lexical Resource: Band 7.5
The writer displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'inescapable presence', 'multinational fast-fashion networks', 'democratizing self-expression', and 'cross-cultural unity' showcase a sophisticated control of lexical items. The writer also successfully incorporates less common and topic-specific vocabulary with a strong awareness of style and collocation, such as 'supply-chain logistics' and 'ecological impact'. Word choice is precise throughout, with only occasional minor slips that never impede communication. This demonstrates the upper-end lexical control described at Band 8.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5
The student exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. Sentences are expertly constructed, featuring subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and varied syntactic patterns, such as 'While critics point to the environmental footprint... the societal benefits... outweigh these drawbacks.' The majority of sentences are completely error-free, and any complex structures employed are managed with excellent control over grammar and punctuation. Errors are extremely rare and non-systematic, reflecting the high standard expected at Band 8 where control over grammar is remarkably secure.
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