Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Other people think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Student answer (Band 5.0)

Many people contend that buying habits depend enormously on advertisements. Others argue that people pass out advertisements because it becomes so common. I firmly believe that people buy things based on what they see on social media without having the need to buy them.

On the one hand, companies use persuasive language, attractive posters and celebrities to attract customers. The promotion is done on commonly used platforms where audience is targeted based on their interests and needs. For instance, companies gain trust by advertising through the most loved influencer by people. Therefore, people might end up buying things out of necessity. As a result, sellers get huge benefit after investing on advertisements.

On the other hand, viewers often ignore adds because they found them useless. For example,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify both views and state a position: “I firmly believe” that social media advertising can prompt purchases. The first view is supported with relevant examples, including targeted platforms and influencers. However, the response addresses the second view only briefly: “viewers often ignore adds” is followed by an unfinished “For example,” so this side is not explained or illustrated. Your own opinion is also not developed beyond the opening sentence, and the claim that people buy “without having the need” is not clarified. The response is 127 words, below the required 250, which leaves the discussion substantially incomplete. Develop both views, explain your position, and support each with a complete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction followed by paragraphs beginning “On the one hand” and “On the other hand.” These signposts help readers identify the two perspectives, and the first body paragraph follows a basic sequence from advertising methods to possible sales benefits. However, there is no completed development of the second paragraph, which ends after “For example,” and therefore the essay has no clear concluding progression. Some links are also unclear: “Therefore” introduces a claim about buying out of necessity, while the opening opinion says people buy without needing the product. Complete each paragraph with explanation and evidence, then add a conclusion that restates your view. Use linking expressions to show the actual relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonably varied set of topic-related expressions, including “persuasive language,” “targeted based on their interests,” “gain trust,” and “investing on advertisements.” These choices communicate the general subject and show attempts to use more specific vocabulary. Some wording is inaccurate or unnatural, however, such as “pass out advertisements” for ignoring them, “the promotion is done on commonly used platforms,” and “huge benefit.” “Adds” is also an incorrect spelling of “ads.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning less precise. Aim for natural collocations and accurate forms, such as “ignore advertisements,” “promote products on widely used platforms,” and “make substantial profits.” More precise vocabulary would strengthen the discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You produce several clear sentences, including “Companies use persuasive language, attractive posters and celebrities to attract customers,” and you attempt a complex structure with “where audience is targeted based on their interests and needs.” The range is still limited, with most ideas expressed through straightforward sentence patterns. There are some grammatical inaccuracies: “because it becomes so common” does not agree clearly with the plural idea of advertisements, and “viewers often ignore adds because they found them useless” shifts from present tense to past tense. The clause about targeting also needs an article before “audience.” Practise combining ideas with accurate subordinate clauses and maintain consistent tense. Proofreading for agreement, articles and tense would make the argument easier to follow.

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