Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-26

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 an essential part of modern life, and people are exposed to advertisements through television, social media, websites and public places. While some people believe that advertisements provide useful information, others argue that they persuade people to purchase unnecessary products. This essay will discuss both views before explaining my opinion.

On the one hand, advertisements can be highly beneficial because they inform consumers about new products and services. Companies can explain the features, prices and benefits of their products, allowing customers to compare different options before making a decision. For example, advertisements for new smartphones often highlight their battery life, camera quality and advanced features. Moreover, advertising increases competition between businesses, encouraging them to improve product quality and offer more reasonable prices.

On the other hand, advertising can encourage unnecessary spending and excessive consumerism. Many companies use attractive images, celebrities and emotional messages to persuade people that they need products that are not essential. This is particularly influential among children and young adults, who may be more vulnerable to persuasive marketing. For instance, constant advertisements for fashionable clothes or expensive electronic devices can make people feel dissatisfied with what they already own and encourage them to spend beyond their means.

In my opinion, advertising has both advantages and disadvantages, but its benefits outweigh its drawbacks when it is honest and properly regulated. Governments should prevent companies from making misleading claims, while consumers should evaluate advertisements critically rather than purchasing products impulsively.

In conclusion, although advertisements can sometimes encourage unnecessary consumption, they provide valuable information and promote healthy competition. Therefore, responsible advertising can be a positive force for both consumers and businesses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, such as the mention of 'new smartphones' to illustrate the informative nature of advertising and the impact on 'children and young adults' regarding consumerism. The essay is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced analysis, perhaps exploring the 'advertising is so common we ignore it' aspect of the prompt more deeply, as the current response focuses more on the persuasive vs. informative debate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, such as 'On the one hand, advertisements can be highly beneficial...' and 'On the other hand, advertising can encourage unnecessary spending...'. Cohesive devices like 'Moreover', 'For instance', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct viewpoints, contributing to the overall coherence of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'consumerism', 'misleading claims', 'impulsively', and 'vulnerable'. The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors in collocation. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a Band 8 or 9 response. However, the language used is natural and effectively conveys the intended meaning without any strain on the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('if it is honest and properly regulated') and participial phrases ('allowing customers to compare...'). The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over grammar is consistent, and the few minor slips do not impede communication. The variety of structures is sufficient to support the clear expression of ideas, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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