Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-22

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays it's possible for people to buy many products or pay for treatments that help them to look younger.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.0)

Nowadays, people have access to a wide range of products and treatments that can help them maintain a younger appearance. Although these developments can have some benefits, I believe they are generally a negative trend because they can create unrealistic expectations about ageing and encourage people to spend excessive amounts of money.

One major advantage is that such products and treatments can improve people's confidence. For example, someone who is unhappy with wrinkles, hair loss or other visible signs of ageing may feel more comfortable after using skincare products or receiving cosmetic treatment. In addition, some treatments can have practical benefits. For instance, dental procedures can improve both a person's appearance and their ability to eat comfortably. Therefore, these developments can improve people's quality of life when they are used reasonably.

However, there are several reasons why this trend can be considered harmful. First, the beauty industry may create unrealistic standards by suggesting that people should always look young. This can make older people feel insecure about their natural appearance and encourage them to undergo unnecessary procedures. Second, some expensive treatments can place a significant financial burden on individuals. People may repeatedly spend large amounts of money trying to maintain a youthful appearance, even though ageing is a natural part of life. There can also be health risks associated with certain cosmetic procedures if they are not performed properly.

In conclusion, products and treatments that help people look younger can improve confidence and, in some cases, quality of life. However, I believe their disadvantages are more significant because they can create unrealistic beauty standards, cause financial pressure and involve potential health risks. People should therefore use such treatments carefully and accept that ageing is a natural process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing whether products and treatments to look younger are a good or bad thing, presenting a clear position throughout. The writer introduces a balanced perspective by acknowledging potential benefits such as improved confidence and quality of life, as seen in the examples of skincare, dental procedures, and wrinkles. However, the student successfully extends and supports their main position that it is a negative trend due to unrealistic beauty standards, financial burdens, and potential health risks. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's position, followed by a well-structured body paragraph discussing advantages, a counter-balancing body paragraph highlighting disadvantages, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being overly mechanical, using linking phrases such as 'Although these developments', 'One major advantage', 'In addition', 'However', 'First', and 'Second'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, satisfying the criteria for a Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some flexibility and precision. They successfully incorporate less common and topic-appropriate items such as 'maintain a younger appearance', 'unrealistic expectations', 'financial burden', and 'cosmetic procedures'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. While it does not consistently display the sophistication or rare idiomatic phrasing required for a Band 8, the vocabulary used easily meets the requirements for a solid Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The writing exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, including conditional-like and concessive clauses such as 'Although these developments can have some benefits, I believe...' and '...even though ageing is a natural part of life.' There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor errors are practically absent, showing that the student maintains a high level of grammatical accuracy throughout the essay. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptor.

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