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)
Whether modern advertising effectively drives consumer behavior or has become mere background noise in an over-saturated media landscape is widely debated. While omnipresent marketing causes consumer desensitization, strategic advertising remains a powerful tool that subtly shapes purchasing habits.
On the one hand, many believe advertising has lost its impact due to sheer volume. Audiences are bombarded daily with commercial messages across social media, television, and billboards. This constant exposure often leads to "banner blindness," where individuals subconsciously filter out promotional material. Furthermore, the rising popularity of ad-blockers, ad-free streaming subscriptions, and the quick "skip ad" button highlights an active resistance to commercial interruption, rendering traditional passive exposure far less effective.
On the other hand, proponents argue that contemporary marketing is more persuasive than ever. Modern digital platforms leverage user data to deliver hyper-targeted advertisements tailored to specific interests and browsing histories, maximizing relevance. Additionally, advertising operates beyond conscious awareness. Sophisticated strategies—such as influencer endorsements, lifestyle branding, and emotional storytelling—build long-term brand familiarity and tap into personal desires, influencing decisions even when consumers feel immune.
In my opinion, while explicit, repetitive ads do trigger fatigue, advertising as a whole remains extraordinarily successful. Its mechanisms have simply evolved. Rather than relying on overt slogans, successful brands now utilize algorithmic precision and subtle product placement. Consequently, even when people claim to ignore advertisements, their brand preferences and daily spending choices are continuously steered by sophisticated marketing techniques.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the response is 234 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments, while logical, could have been expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis to fully satisfy the task. Because the length requirement is not met, the response is penalized under Task Achievement, preventing it from reaching the higher bands despite the quality of the content.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs presenting opposing views, and a concluding paragraph that synthesizes the argument. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the concept of desensitization to the effectiveness of modern targeted marketing. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Consequently' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, ensuring the text is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary is sophisticated and well-suited to an academic context. The student demonstrates a strong command of topic-specific terminology, such as 'omnipresent marketing,' 'consumer desensitization,' 'banner blindness,' and 'algorithmic precision.' The use of collocations is natural and precise, contributing to a fluent reading experience. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey complex ideas with clarity and nuance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and well-integrated subordinate clauses. For instance, the sentence 'Rather than relying on overt slogans, successful brands now utilize algorithmic precision and subtle product placement' is grammatically accurate and complex. The writing is virtually error-free, with excellent control over punctuation and sentence variety. The majority of sentences are complex and error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
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