Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-25

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 7.0)

Clothing is an integral part of human expression, serving both functional and social purposes. While some argue that fashion choices offers a direct window into an individual's cultural background and personal character, others believe that modern globalization and financial constraints limit this connection. From my perspective, I completely agree with the statement that clothing reflects culture but I argue it is a poor indicator of an individual's deep inner character.

Firstly, attire remains a powerful symbol of cultural identity. Traditional garments explicitly communicate a person's heritage, values and societal roots. For instance, wearing a saree in India clearly signals cultural affiliation and respect for historical customs. Cultural preferences dictate colour choices, modesty levels and fabric types. Therefore, observing what people wear provides immediate, reliable ideas about the geographical or religious origins.

On the other hand, clothing is an unreliable tool for judging a person's character. For example, individual personality traits such as honesty, kindness or intelligence cannot be measured by fabric choice. Hence, it does not define the character of an individual.

In the modern world, people often dress according to external factors like corporate dress codes, financial limitations or fast- fashion trends rather than personal expression. For example, a highly professional and ethical person might wear casual, inexpensive clothing simply because they value comfort over luxury.

To conclude, while choice of clothing serves as an excellent reflection of a person's cultural background, it does not provide an accurate assessment of their moral character. However, external appearances are easily manipulated and often governed by practical necessity rather than personality.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by providing a clear position that distinguishes between culture and character. Your ideas are relevant and logically extended. For instance, the distinction between traditional garments as cultural symbols and the impact of modern factors like corporate dress codes is well-reasoned. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'character' aspect by exploring how clothing might reflect social status or professional discipline, which are facets of character, rather than just dismissing it as a 'poor indicator'. Overall, your position is consistent and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude', which guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The progression of ideas is smooth, and referencing is clear. To improve, ensure that the transition between the cultural argument and the character argument is slightly more nuanced to avoid a sudden shift in focus. The current structure is solid and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'integral part', 'cultural affiliation', 'societal roots', and 'manipulated' appropriately. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, which adds precision to your writing. However, there is a minor error in 'fast- fashion' (spacing) and 'offers' (subject-verb agreement: 'fashion choices offer'). While these are minor, increasing the use of more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions would elevate your score further. Overall, your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control of grammar is generally strong. There is a minor subject-verb agreement error in the introduction ('fashion choices offers' should be 'offer'). Additionally, the phrase 'according to external factors' is used correctly. Your punctuation is accurate, and the complexity of your sentences demonstrates a good command of English grammar. To reach a higher band, ensure that you proofread for small slips in agreement and consistency, as these are the only factors preventing a higher score.

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

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