Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some parts of the world, people buy far too many clothes.

What are the reasons for this?
How can people be persuaded to reduce the number of clothes they buy?

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

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Nowadays, people in some countries prefer to buy more clothes because of several reasons.

At first, one of obvious reasons why people buy more clothes is because of winter seasons which usually occurred between autumn and spring. During winter seasons, the weather will be too cold and they need some clothes to feel warm in order not to get sick.

Another reason is social media pressure because they want luxurious lifestyles some celebrities have achieved such as purchasing expensive cars, clothes and houses. TH

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under-length at only 84 words, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While you identify two reasons for buying clothes (weather and social media pressure), the second part of the prompt—how to persuade people to reduce consumption—is completely ignored. Because the response is incomplete and lacks the necessary development of ideas, it cannot be awarded a higher band. To improve, you must ensure all parts of the prompt are answered and provide sufficient supporting details and examples to meet the word count.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic attempt at organization with a clear introduction and separate paragraphs for the reasons. However, the text is too short to demonstrate a range of cohesive devices. While you use transition signals like 'At first' and 'Another reason', the abrupt ending and lack of a conclusion make the overall progression feel incomplete. To achieve a higher score, you need to develop your ideas into full paragraphs and use a wider variety of linking words to connect your arguments logically throughout the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is functional but limited. You use basic terms such as 'luxurious lifestyles' and 'expensive cars', which are appropriate but lack the sophistication expected at higher levels. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To improve, focus on incorporating more precise vocabulary related to consumerism, such as 'fast fashion', 'impulse buying', or 'sustainable alternatives'. Expanding your range of collocations will help you convey your ideas with greater precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is generally clear, but the range of structures is limited. You rely on simple sentence constructions. There are some minor errors, such as 'winter seasons which usually occurred' (should be 'occur'), and the sentence structure is somewhat repetitive. To improve, you should aim to incorporate a mix of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses or relative clauses, to demonstrate greater control. Ensure that your verb tenses are consistent and accurate throughout the text.

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.