Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-09

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 8.0)

In some parts of the world, people purchase far more clothes than they actually need. This is mainly because of the influence of social media and the availability of inexpensive fashion. However, people can be encouraged to reduce their clothing consumption through greater awareness and financial incentives.

One major reason why people buy excessive amounts of clothing is the influence of social media. People frequently see celebrities and influencers wearing new outfits, which can make them feel that they also need to purchase new clothes to look fashionable. In addition, fast-fashion companies regularly introduce new designs at low prices. As a result, customers may buy clothes impulsively because they are affordable and easily available. For example, a person may purchase several inexpensive outfits for different occasions even though they already have enough suitable clothes at home.

There are several ways to persuade people to reduce their clothing consumption. Firstly, governments and educational institutions could raise awareness about the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Campaigns could encourage people to buy fewer, higher-quality clothes and reuse or donate unwanted items. Secondly, governments could introduce higher taxes on extremely cheap, low-quality clothing, while offering incentives to companies that produce durable and environmentally friendly products. This would encourage consumers to think more carefully before making unnecessary purchases.

In conclusion, excessive clothing consumption is largely caused by social media, changing fashion trends and the low prices of fast-fashion products. People can reduce this problem if they are educated about its environmental consequences and encouraged to choose durable clothing instead of constantly buying new items.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified two primary reasons for excessive clothing consumption—social media influence and the affordability of fast fashion—and provided two logical solutions: public awareness campaigns and fiscal policy changes. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of impulsive buying behavior and the suggestion of taxing low-quality goods. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. The response is balanced, ensuring both parts of the question receive adequate attention.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the reasons for the problem and the proposed solutions is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'As a result', 'Firstly', and 'Secondly', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, including terms like 'excessive clothing consumption', 'impulsively', 'environmental impact', and 'durable'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. While the vocabulary is effective and conveys your meaning clearly, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is consistently accurate and fits the formal tone required for an IELTS essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and causal clauses (e.g., '...if they are educated about its environmental consequences and encouraged to choose...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, demonstrating a high level of proficiency that aligns well with the band 8 descriptor.

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