Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-25

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 5.5)

Nowadays, worldwide fashion trends have a strong influence on how many people dress. In my opinion, it is a negative development as it might affect individual's well-being. In this essay, I will discuss some of the reasons for why people are following global fashion trends and draw a conclusion.

In the modern world, fashion trends have a very strong impact on people's lives. The main reason for this might be the social media exposure. Young generation is highly inspired by modern fashion trends. Another factor that contributes this is that celebrity influence and parasocial relationships are very common in today's world. Young adults get highly influenced by the social media celebrities from all over the world and create one-sided emotional bonds. As a result, they try to follow their fashion, lifestyle and dressing. This might have a negative impact on their psychological health as they compare themselves with others. For example, if a young girl from a middle-class background could not afford the outfit which is in trend, then she will develop a sense of insecurity and might have an inferiority complex.

On the other hand, I think it is a negative development as it has many drawbacks. For instance, recently, long frocks became popular in my country as a well-known celebrity worn it, but they were out of reach for the majority of people. However, social media plays a vital role in promoting the global fashion. Furthermore, people may face social pressure as they want to fit in with friends and society. Another reason for why people follow global fashion is that it can make them feel more confident as they believe that fashionable clothes improve their appearance.

In conclusion, global fashion trends help people in expressing themselves, but they can also create financial and social pressure. Therefore, people should follow trends according to their preferences and financial circumstances.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing why global fashion has become influential and providing a clear position that it is a negative development. In the body paragraphs, you give relevant examples, such as social media exposure and celebrity influence, leading to psychological impacts like insecurity and inferiority complexes. However, there is some contradiction and confusion in your third paragraph. You start by stating, 'On the other hand, I think it is a negative development,' which repeats your opening stance rather than presenting the opposing view, and later in the same paragraph, you mention that trends can make people feel more confident, which weakens your negative stance. Furthermore, the conclusion mentions that trends 'help people in expressing themselves,' contradicting your stated position. Despite these organizational slips, the main requirements of the task are addressed, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable overall structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used to separate main ideas, and basic cohesive devices such as 'In the modern world', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' help guide the reader. However, coherence is hindered by some illogical sequencing and contradictory arguments, particularly in the third paragraph where you state that you think it is a negative development yet immediately follow it with points about confidence and self-expression. Referencing is occasionally repetitive or vague, such as using 'this' without clear antecedents. While logical progression exists, the internal flow within paragraphs and the stability of your stance prevent a higher score, making Band 6.0 the most appropriate descriptor.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'parasocial relationships', 'psychological health', 'insecurity', and 'financial circumstances'. There are some word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as writing 'worldwide fashion trends have a strong influence' (better: 'global fashion trends exert a powerful influence') and 'celebrity worn it' instead of 'worn by a celebrity'. Spelling is generally accurate, and although some phrasing is repetitive or slightly unnatural, communication is never impeded. Your vocabulary range and attempts at less common items align well with the Band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the essay, including conditional structures like 'if a young girl from a middle-class background could not afford the outfit...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'Young generation is highly inspired' (missing article), 'Another factor that contributes this is that' (missing preposition 'to'), and 'as a well-known celebrity worn it' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while these errors do occur, they rarely impede communication. Because you successfully control a mix of simple and complex forms alongside noticeable grammatical slips, this performance fits the Band 6 descriptor.

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