Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-27
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 6.5)
Buying a significant number of outfits is becoming common in some countries these days. It is largely due to excessive social media influence or the poor quality of clothes. This attitude can be mitigated by adding more tax on clothes or by making high-quality fabrics in the first place.
One of the reasons to buy more clothes is that people usually get influenced by social media trends of changing clothes frequently. This way, people try to fit in with society. For instance, many young people purchase trending articles even if they do not suit them. Peer pressure can sometimes lead people to go beyond their limits. The other reason is the low quality of clothes manufactured by big companies. Many people nowadays complain that their clothes tear after one to two washes. Therefore, they have to purchase new clothes. As a result, people find another excuse to get the latest clothes.
An immediate solution to this issue is to increase the clothing tax. Many individuals will not only stop buying extra clothes, but will also repeat the outfits they already own. Furthermore, companies should manufacture better-quality clothes, so people can feel comfortable in their old collections. For example, if there are value-for-money clothes, people will prefer quality over quantity in the long run.
In conclusion, individuals buy clothes in bulk because of societal pressure and the cheap texture of clothes. However, people can be persuaded to reduce the number of clothes they buy by giving them alternative, better options and by raising taxes on new clothes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The student addresses all parts of the task by clearly identifying reasons for excessive clothing purchases—such as social media influence and poor manufacturing quality—and offering logical solutions like increasing taxes and improving fabric durability. The position is maintained throughout the response. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as young people purchasing trending items and clothes tearing after a few washes. While some points could be expanded further, the overall task requirements are well met, aligning comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introduction to causes, then solutions, and finally a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately and appropriately, such as 'One of the reasons', 'The other reason', 'An immediate solution', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the text logically, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's arguments without difficulty, which firmly places this response in the Band 7 category.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms such as 'excessive social media influence', 'peer pressure', and 'value-for-money'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing feels slightly unnatural or repetitive, such as 'get the latest clothes' and 'cheap texture of clothes'. Spelling and word choice are mostly accurate and do not impede communication, matching the criteria for a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over structures such as conditional clauses ('if there are value-for-money clothes, people will prefer quality') and subordinate clauses. Grammatical accuracy is generally high, with many error-free sentences throughout the text. While minor punctuation or structural slips occur occasionally, they do not impede communication. This balance of complex structures and good control justifies a Band 7.0 score.
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