Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-02

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 8.0)

In many parts of the world, people purchase far more clothes than they actually need. This trend has become increasingly common because of the growth of fast fashion, social media and online shopping. However, several measures can be taken to encourage people to reduce their clothing consumption.

There are several reasons why people buy excessive amounts of clothing. One of the main factors is the influence of social media. Many people follow celebrities and influencers and want to copy their appearance by purchasing similar clothes. As fashion trends change quickly, consumers may feel that they need to buy new outfits regularly in order to remain fashionable. Another important factor is the low price of fast-fashion products. Companies produce large quantities of inexpensive clothing, which makes it easier for consumers to make unnecessary purchases. In addition, online shopping allows people to purchase clothes at any time, while discounts and special offers can encourage impulse buying.

There are several ways to address this issue. Firstly, consumers should be made more aware of the environmental impact of excessive clothing consumption. Producing and disposing of large amounts of clothing can create waste and increase pressure on natural resources. Schools, governments and environmental organizations could run awareness campaigns to educate people about these consequences. Secondly, people could be encouraged to buy durable, high-quality clothes instead of inexpensive items that quickly go out of fashion. Buying second-hand clothes, donating unwanted garments and exchanging clothes with others could also reduce the demand for new products.

In conclusion, the excessive purchase of clothing is mainly caused by social media, rapidly changing fashion trends, low prices and the convenience of online shopping. Raising environmental awareness and encouraging people to purchase durable or second-hand clothing could help reduce this problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by clearly identifying the reasons for excessive clothing consumption—such as social media, fast fashion, and online shopping—and proposing practical solutions like awareness campaigns and second-hand shopping. The position is maintained clearly throughout the essay, and the ideas are extended and supported well with relevant explanations, such as how 'fast-fashion products' are produced in large quantities and how 'discounts and special offers' encourage impulse buying. To push further into higher territory, the ideas could be explored with even deeper nuance or more specific, extended real-world examples, avoiding any slight tendency to generalise. However, all requirements of the prompt are fully covered and well developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay demonstrates a clear, logical progression throughout, with a well-managed overall structure. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, moving smoothly from an introductory overview to the reasons in the second paragraph, the solutions in the third, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively without feeling mechanical; phrases like 'One of the main factors', 'Another important factor', 'Firstly', and 'Secondly' guide the reader seamlessly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately and sufficiently. To achieve the absolute highest level, cohesive referencing could be even more varied and subtle, but the current management of information flow is thoroughly logical and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer uses a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating less common lexical items and collocations with good awareness of style, such as 'excessive clothing consumption', 'impulse buying', and 'environmental impact'. Word choices are mostly accurate and appropriate. There are very few lexical inaccuracies, though occasionally a slightly broader or more sophisticated idiomatic range could enhance the sophistication of the text. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, ensuring that communication is never hindered and that the vocabulary remains flexible enough to articulate complex ideas clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response features a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical structures such as conditional clauses, relative clauses, and modal verbs are handled adeptly—for example, in sentences like 'As fashion trends change quickly, consumers may feel that they need to buy...' and 'Schools, governments and environmental organizations could run awareness campaigns...'. Punctuation is accurate, and verb forms, tenses, and subject-verb agreements are well managed. Only very occasional, minor slips occur, demonstrating a strong command of English grammar overall.

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