Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-13

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 7.5)

Advertising is a major part of modern life, and people have different views about its influence on consumers. While some argue that advertisements are highly effective in persuading people to purchase products, others believe that advertising has become so widespread that people simply ignore it. In my opinion, although consumers may overlook many advertisements, advertising remains highly effective, particularly when it is well targeted.

On the one hand, advertising can strongly influence people's purchasing decisions. Companies use attractive images, emotional messages and well-known celebrities to create a positive impression of their products. In addition, advertisements often highlight the benefits of a product and encourage consumers to believe that it can improve their lifestyle. For example, a person who repeatedly sees advertisements for a new smartphone may eventually become interested in buying it, even if they did not originally intend to purchase one. Therefore, advertising can create demand as well as influence existing buying decisions.

On the other hand, people are exposed to an enormous number of advertisements every day, especially through television, websites and social media. As a result, many consumers have developed the habit of ignoring advertisements, particularly those that are repetitive or irrelevant to them. People may skip online advertisements, block advertising content or simply pay no attention to posters and commercials. This suggests that the sheer amount of advertising can reduce its effectiveness.

Nevertheless, I believe advertising continues to have a significant influence on consumers. Modern companies increasingly use personalised advertising, which is designed according to people's interests, online behaviour and previous purchases. Such advertisements are more likely to attract attention than generic advertisements.

Furthermore, advertising can influence people even when they are not consciously aware of it. Repeated exposure to a particular brand can make its name more familiar and trustworthy. When consumers eventually need a product, they may be more likely to choose a brand that they have seen regularly in advertisements. This is particularly important for products such as food, clothing and electronic devices, where consumers have numerous competing choices. In addition, modern companies can use data collected from people's online activities to show advertisements that match their interests. This targeted approach can make advertising considerably more persuasive because consumers are presented with products that they are already likely to be interested in.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the effectiveness of advertising and the tendency for consumers to ignore it—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between generic and targeted advertising, which adds depth to the argument. The introduction clearly outlines the scope of the essay, and the conclusion reinforces your stance effectively. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of social media and smartphone purchasing habits, which demonstrates a strong grasp of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless' effectively. The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and your own opinion, making the essay easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, indicating a high level of control over the structure of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. Phrases such as 'sheer amount of advertising', 'consciously aware', and 'competing choices' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good awareness of collocation and style, which elevates the quality of the writing. While the vocabulary is consistently appropriate for an academic context, there is room to incorporate even more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is more than sufficient to convey complex arguments clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures is handled with precision, contributing to the overall clarity and sophistication of the argument. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the entire piece.

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