Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-04

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 6.5)

Some people argue that advertising is highly effective at convincing consumers to make purchases, while others believe that it has become so pervasive that it no longer captures our attention. This essay will discuss both perspectives before concluding with my own viewpoint.

On one hand, proponents of advertising's effectiveness argue that it plays a crucial role in influencing consumer behavior. Effective advertisements leverage psychological triggers such as emotional appeal, scarcity, and endorsements from celebrities. For instance, companies often use high-profile endorsements to create a sense of trust and desirability around their products. Additionally, targeted advertising on social media platforms can reach specific demographics, thus maximizing its persuasive impact. This tailored approach ensures that ads are more relevant to individual consumers, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

Conversely, others contend that the sheer volume of advertisements has led to a state of desensitization among consumers. In today's digital age, people are bombarded with advertisements across multiple channels, including television, social media, and websites. This saturation can lead to 'ad fatigue,' where consumers begin to ignore or overlook advertisements. For example, many people use ad-blocking software to avoid unwanted commercial content online. This overwhelming presence can diminish the effectiveness of advertising, as it becomes just another background noise in daily life.

In my opinion, while advertising still holds significant power to influence consumer choices, its effectiveness is increasingly challenged by its omnipresence. To remain impactful, advertisers must innovate and craft more engaging and personalized content. Overall, while advertising can still persuade consumers, its success is heavily dependent on its ability to cut through the noise and capture attention in a crowded market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the effectiveness of advertising through psychological triggers and the counter-argument regarding consumer desensitization—while maintaining a clear personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of celebrity endorsements and ad-blocking software. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the two views, providing a balanced and thoughtful final opinion. The structure is logical and fulfills the requirements of an academic essay perfectly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On one hand' and 'Conversely'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of the argument. The flow of ideas is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, making the text very easy to follow for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary with good precision. Phrases such as 'pervasive', 'targeted advertising', 'desensitization', and 'omnipresence' demonstrate a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used naturally and accurately throughout the text. While the range is solid and appropriate for a high band, incorporating a few more idiomatic expressions or nuanced collocations could elevate the response further toward the top end of the scale.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You have successfully utilized a variety of complex structures, such as conditional clauses ('if...') and participial phrases ('...thus maximizing its persuasive impact'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall sentence structure is varied and sophisticated.

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