Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-14
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 everywhere in modern life, from TV and billboards to social media. While some people believe that ads are very effective in making us buy products, others argue that we have become used to them and simply ignore them. I think that advertising is still powerful, but its effect depends on how it is presented.
On the one hand, advertising can be extremely persuasive. Companies spend millions of dollars on ads because they work. Advertisements use attractive images, celebrities and emotional messages to influence people’s decisions. For example, when a famous actor promotes a brand of shoes or phone, many fans want to buy the same product. Also, repeated exposure to ads makes a brand familiar, and people are more likely to trust and buy familiar products. This is why new products need heavy advertising to enter the market.
On the other hand, some people feel that advertising has become too common and we no longer notice it. Every day we see hundreds of ads on YouTube, Instagram, TV and on the streets. Because of this overload, many people develop "ad blindness". They skip YouTube ads, install ad-blockers, and ignore billboards. People are also more aware now and can see when an ad is exaggerating, so they do not trust it easily. In my opinion, advertising is still successful, but only when it is creative and relevant. Generic ads that we see everywhere are often ignored. However, ads that are funny, useful, or targeted to our interests can still persuade us. For example, online ads that show products we searched for before are more likely to make us buy.
To conclude, while it is true that people are exposed to too much advertising and sometimes ignore it, I believe that good advertising continues to influence our buying choices. The key is quality, not quantity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on advertising and providing a clear, well-supported personal opinion. The introduction outlines the two opposing arguments and states the writer's stance. Body paragraph one explores the view that advertising is highly persuasive, citing specific techniques such as emotional messaging, celebrity endorsements, and repeated exposure. Body paragraph two discusses the counter-view regarding 'ad blindness' and consumer skepticism caused by advertising overload. The conclusion and final parts of body paragraph three successfully integrate the writer's own opinion that relevance and creativity dictate success. The ideas are well-developed, extended, and supported with appropriate examples such as targeted online ads and skipped YouTube videos, meeting the requirements for a strong performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently structured across well-defined paragraphs. The essay opens with a clear introductory paragraph, moves through balanced body paragraphs addressing each viewpoint and the personal opinion, and concludes logically. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For example', and 'To conclude' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly, and paragraphing is managed sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring that each paragraph has a central topic that is clearly developed.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an academic discussion. Less common lexical items are used effectively with good awareness of collocation and style, such as 'repeated exposure', 'ad blindness', 'exaggerating', and 'targeted to our interests'. Word choice is generally precise, allowing the writer to convey subtle points about consumer behavior and digital marketing. There are very few lexical errors; vocabulary is natural and enhances the overall clarity of the text. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, supporting a high band score for this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The response features a wide range of sentence structures, mixing simple and complex forms effectively. The majority of sentences are error-free, demonstrating good control of grammar and punctuation. Examples of complex structures include 'While some people believe that ads are very effective...', 'Because of this overload, many people develop...', and 'However, ads that are funny, useful, or targeted to our interests can still persuade us.' Punctuation is handled correctly, and clauses are joined smoothly without awkward phrasing. Grammatical accuracy is consistently high, with only rare, non-systematic slips that do not impede communication in any way.
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