Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that it is possible to tell a lot about a person’s culture and character from their choice of clothes.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Some people believe that clothing is more than a fashion statement as it often conveys meaningful aspects of a person’s identity, culture and beliefs. While clothing impact one’s appearance, I disagree that it is possible to judge someone based on what they wear.

Indicating a person’s character through clothing is a stereotype assumption. One can wear their choice of clothes based on preference, comfort and fashion trends. A person who is working hard and responsible may choose to dress up simply, while one who follows different fashion styles may be conscious about their looks and may not necessarily be honest towards their duties. Thus, these judgments of personality by appearance may lead to unfairness.

Furthermore, people buy clothes based on their budget, weather and restrictions made by working environments and academic institutions. For example, a student’s grades, manners, cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs cannot be justified if one is wearing a uniform. Also, the concept of uniforms has been made to show equality over affordability in society. Additionally, clothing may be considered a piece of protection for the skin to keep it protected from heat, cold and dust.

However, it is true that traditional garments such as the sari in India, the kimono in Japan and more statement pieces of clothes that belong to a specific nationality symbolize the national identity and are mostly worn by people who attend cultural events. For instance, native Canadians wear a traditional dress called regalia, mostly worn at events like powwow. The headwear of this garment is made of feathers, which is highly restricted, as only specific leaders who have earned respect can wear it.

Overall, it is not the correct way to judge a character from clothing as it could be someone’s personal choice but it is tough to neglect the meaning it holds for some cultures.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that disagrees with the idea that clothing defines character, while acknowledging the cultural significance of traditional garments. The arguments are relevant and supported by examples such as uniforms and cultural attire like the Japanese kimono or Canadian regalia. The ideas are well-developed, though the connection between the second paragraph's focus on 'unfairness' and the prompt's focus on 'culture and character' could be slightly more explicit. Overall, the response maintains a consistent stance and provides a balanced view, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.

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 theme, such as the stereotype of character judgment, the practical constraints of clothing, and the cultural significance of traditional dress. Cohesive devices like 'Furthermore', 'For instance', and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of thought is clear throughout the essay, and referencing is generally accurate, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. You demonstrate a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'fashion statement', 'traditional garments', 'national identity', and 'cultural events'. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'stereotype assumption' (which should be 'stereotypical assumption') and 'piece of protection' (which is slightly unnatural). However, these do not impede communication. You show an ability to use less common items, and your word choice is generally precise enough to convey your arguments effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are clear and error-free. There are occasional minor grammatical slips, such as 'clothing impact' (should be 'impacts') and 'the concept of uniforms has been made to show equality' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally accurate. The variety of structures, including conditional-like reasoning and descriptive clauses, demonstrates a good level of control, placing your performance firmly in the Band 7 range.

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