Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-23

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 unavoidable part of modern life, appearing on television, billboards, and social media platforms. While some people believe that commercial advertisements are exceptionally effective in convincing consumers to purchase goods, others argue that they have become so overwhelming that the public simply ignores them. In my opinion, despite widespread advertising fatigue, well-targeted promotions still exert a powerful influence over purchasing habits.

On the one hand, many individuals feel that the constant barrage of advertisements has reduced their effectiveness. Because consumers encounter hundreds of promotional messages every day, they have developed mechanisms to avoid them. For instance, internet users routinely install ad blockers on their web browsers or skip commercial breaks while watching videos online. Furthermore, excessive repetition often leads to irritation rather than genuine interest in a brand. Consequently, people learn to filter out promotional content subconsciously, making ordinary marketing campaigns far less impactful than they were in the past.

On the other hand, there is strong evidence that advertising remains remarkably persuasive, particularly due to modern psychological techniques and digital targeting. Modern corporations no longer rely solely on generic television ads; instead, they utilize user data to present tailored promotions based on personal interests and browsing histories. Moreover, celebrity endorsements and social media influencers create a sense of trust and desire that directly drives consumer behavior. For example, a young person might not pay attention to traditional street billboards, but they will readily buy sneakers or cosmetics recommended by an online personality they follow. Thus, promotions still manipulate consumer choices effectively.

In conclusion, although exposure to repetitive advertisements causes many people to overlook traditional marketing, I believe that innovative and personalized strategies continue to succeed. In today's digital era, advertising is merely evolving rather than losing its grip on consumer spending.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on advertising and clearly stating their own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The position is well-developed throughout the essay. For instance, the first body paragraph explores the argument regarding advertising fatigue and avoidance techniques like ad blockers, while the second body paragraph thoughtfully contrasts this with the effectiveness of modern digital targeting and influencer marketing. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as sneakers and cosmetics recommended by online personalities. The response meets all requirements of Task Achievement at a high level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-formulated introduction that outlines both views and the writer's stance. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Consequently' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the opposing views clearly and ensuring a cohesive flow from the opening statement to the final concluding remark.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student employs a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to the academic context. Less common lexical items are used skillfully, such as 'unavoidable part,' 'commercial advertisements,' 'advertising fatigue,' 'barrage of advertisements,' and 'user data to present tailored promotions.' Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural, contributing to a fluent reading experience. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but they do not impede communication in any way, reflecting strong control over lexical resources.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing sophisticated control over subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and participial phrases, such as 'While some people believe that commercial advertisements are exceptionally effective...' and 'Modern corporations no longer rely solely on generic television ads; instead, they utilize user data...' Only very occasional minor slips occur, punctuation is handled competently throughout, and grammatical errors do not impede communication at all.

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