Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-26

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 argue that a person’s choice of clothes can reveal a great deal about their culture and character. I largely agree with this view because clothing often reflects cultural traditions, personal values and lifestyle choices. However, I believe that clothes alone cannot provide a complete picture of someone’s personality.

Firstly, clothing is strongly influenced by cultural background and traditions. People often wear particular types of clothes because they are considered appropriate or meaningful within their society. For example, in Pakistan, many people wear traditional shalwar kameez, particularly on religious festivals, weddings and other important occasions. Similarly, people in Japan may wear kimonos during traditional ceremonies. Such choices can indicate a person’s cultural heritage and their connection with traditional values. Therefore, clothing can provide useful clues about where a person comes from and the customs they respect.

Furthermore, a person’s clothing may reveal certain aspects of their character and lifestyle. Someone who consistently wears formal and well-organised clothing may be perceived as professional, disciplined or concerned about their appearance. In contrast, a person who prefers casual and comfortable clothes may have a more relaxed lifestyle. Fashion choices can also demonstrate individuality. For instance, young people who wear unusual colours, distinctive accessories or alternative styles may be expressing creativity and a desire to stand out from others. In this sense, clothes can serve as a form of non-verbal communication.

Nevertheless, it would be misleading to judge a person’s character solely on the basis of their appearance. People may choose clothes according to their job, financial circumstances, weather or social situation rather than their personality. A person may wear a suit to work because it is required, even if they personally prefer casual clothing. Likewise, someone may dress simply because they cannot afford expensive clothes, rather than because they lack ambition or confidence. Consequently, appearance can sometimes create inaccurate impressions.

In conclusion, I agree that clothing can reveal considerable information about a person’s culture, lifestyle and, to some extent, their character. However, it should not be regarded as a reliable way of judging someone completely, since many external factors influence what people wear. A person’s behaviour, values and interactions with others are ultimately much better indicators of their true character.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, providing specific examples such as the 'shalwar kameez' in Pakistan and the 'kimono' in Japan to support your points on culture. You also effectively balance the argument by acknowledging that external factors like employment and financial status can influence clothing choices, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the topic. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt with relevant, well-supported points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with cultural influence, moving to character expression, and then providing a counter-argument. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', 'In contrast', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout. The structure is coherent and makes the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. You use precise terms such as 'cultural heritage', 'non-verbal communication', and 'misleading' to convey your ideas effectively. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and your word choice is generally accurate and natural. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it could be slightly more ambitious to reach the highest band, but it is certainly well-suited for a high-level response. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'A person may wear a suit to work because it is required, even if they personally prefer casual clothing.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and verb tenses is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and the writing is fluent and accurate throughout. The variety of sentence forms used demonstrates a strong command of English grammar, fitting the criteria for a high band score.

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