Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20

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 7.0)

In today's world, advertisements play a significant role in shaping consumer behaviour. Some people believe that advertising is highly effective at persuading us to buy products, while others argue that it has become so common that people barely notice it anymore. This essay will discuss both views before presenting my own opinion.

Those who believe advertising is highly persuasive point to several techniques that companies use to influence consumers. Attractive visuals, celebrity endorsements, and appeals to the desire for something new all play a role in capturing attention. For instance, people are often drawn to watch an advertisement simply because a celebrity they admire appears in it. As a result, viewers' attention shifts toward the creative content, making them more inclined to buy products they do not actually need.

On the other hand, some argue that advertising has become so widespread that people have started to tune it out. Due to constant exposure and repetitive content, many advertisements fail to hold viewers' attention and are perceived as an annoyance rather than useful information. For example, if a person is watching the climax of a film and an advertisement suddenly interrupts, it is likely to frustrate them rather than persuade them. As a result, people often skip advertisements immediately without giving them any real attention.

In my opinion, both views hold some truth, but the effectiveness of advertising largely depends on how it is presented and how frequently it appears. Well-designed advertisements that provide genuinely useful information about new products or technologies can still capture attention and influence purchasing decisions. However, when advertising is excessive or repetitive, it risks being ignored altogether, which suggests that quality and relevance matter more than sheer frequency.

In conclusion, while advertising can be a powerful persuasive tool when done well, its constant presence in modern life means it can just as easily be overlooked. I believe striking a balance — using advertising thoughtfully rather than excessively — is key to it remaining effective.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The essay effectively addresses the task by discussing both views on advertising and providing the writer's own opinion. The introduction clearly outlines the topic and the main argument, while each paragraph explores the arguments logically. The conclusion neatly sums up the discussion. However, a more personal elaboration of the writer’s opinion could strengthen the response. Overall, the task achievement is strong, with clear focus and relevant details.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

Coherence and cohesion are well-handled in this essay. The writer employs clear topic sentences at the beginning of each paragraph, guiding the reader through the arguments. Transitional phrases such as "On the other hand" and "As a result" enhance the flow between ideas. However, some connections could be a bit more explicit for greater clarity. For instance, reinforcing the relationship between elements within paragraphs could improve overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The lexical resource is fairly strong with appropriate vocabulary usage, such as "consumer behaviour" and "celebrity endorsements." These phrases effectively convey the intended meaning. However, there's some repetitiveness with certain terms, such as "advertising" and "attention," which could be varied for more engagement. Additionally, using more sophisticated vocabulary in certain instances could elevate the writing further. Overall, the vocabulary demonstrates adequate flexibility with only slight limitations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The grammatical range and accuracy in the essay are solid. The writer effectively uses a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences, contributing to an engaging style. Grammatical structures are mostly correct, with only minor errors that do not impede understanding, such as a missing article in "...when advertising is excessive or repetitive." There is a good use of conditional and modal verbs, indicating a strong grasp of English grammar overall.

Overall feedback

Overall, this essay demonstrates strong writing skills with a clear structure, relevant arguments, and effective language use. To improve, consider varying your vocabulary to avoid repetition and enriching sentences with more sophisticated expressions. Including more detailed personal examples or reflections in your conclusion could also enhance the reader’s connection to your opinion. Strive for further clarity in linking ideas across your paragraphs, especially in more complex discussions. Keep practicing these elements for continued improvement!

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