Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-22

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 has become an integral part of modern life, appearing on television, social media, websites, and public spaces. While some people believe that advertising is highly effective in encouraging consumers to purchase products, others argue that people have become so accustomed to advertisements that they largely ignore them. This essay will discuss both viewpoints before presenting my own opinion.

On the one hand, advertising can be extremely persuasive. Companies invest significant amounts of money in marketing campaigns designed to attract consumers' attention and influence their purchasing decisions. Advertisements often use celebrities, emotional appeals, and attractive visuals to create a positive image of a product. In addition, online advertising has become increasingly sophisticated, allowing businesses to target specific groups of consumers based on their interests and browsing habits. As a result, people are more likely to encounter products that match their preferences, which can significantly increase sales.

On the other hand, many people argue that advertising has become so widespread that it is no longer effective. Consumers are exposed to hundreds of advertisements every day, leading to what is often called "advertising fatigue." Consequently, many individuals consciously ignore commercials, skip online advertisements, or use ad-blocking software. Furthermore, modern consumers tend to rely more on product reviews, recommendations from friends, and social media influencers than on traditional advertising. Therefore, the influence of advertisements may be weaker than it was in the past.

In my opinion, advertising remains highly effective despite the fact that people are exposed to it constantly. Although consumers may ignore some advertisements, successful marketing campaigns continue to shape purchasing behavior by increasing brand awareness and creating demand. Even when people believe they are not influenced, repeated exposure to a brand can affect their choices subconsciously.

In conclusion, while some people believe that the abundance of advertising has reduced its impact, others argue that it remains a powerful tool for influencing consumer behavior. I believe that advertising continues to be effective, particularly when it is targeted and creatively designed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task. Both views regarding advertising's effectiveness and its ubiquity are discussed in detail, and a clear position is established and maintained throughout the essay. In the second paragraph, the student explores why advertising is persuasive, citing factors like celebrities, emotional appeals, and targeted online marketing. The third paragraph effectively presents the counterargument regarding advertising fatigue and consumers ignoring commercials. The writer's own opinion is clearly stated and developed in the fourth paragraph, noting that even subconscious exposure shapes behavior. Ideas are well supported with relevant explanations, matching the standard expected for a Band 8 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays a very clear logical organization and progression from introduction to conclusion. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme, such as the arguments for persuasion, the arguments for saturation and fatigue, and the writer's personal stance. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical, utilizing phrases like 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'In addition,' and 'Consequently' to guide the reader smoothly through the argument. Referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure meets the requirements for a Band 7 or 8 level of cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on advertising. Phrases such as 'integral part of modern life,' 'advertising fatigue,' 'subconsciously,' and 'brand awareness' show an ability to use less common items with an awareness of style and collocation. Word choices are precise, and spelling is entirely accurate. While the vocabulary is fluent and appropriate, it stops just short of the wide, highly sophisticated range featuring rare idiomatic or nuanced collocations typical of a Band 8. Therefore, a solid Band 7 is awarded for lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses such as 'Although consumers may ignore some advertisements...' and 'Even when people believe they are not influenced...'. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating a high level of grammatical control and punctuation. Errors are virtually non-existent, and the flow of complex ideas is never impeded. The grammatical range and accuracy easily meet the criteria for a Band 8.

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