Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-01

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 a person's choice of clothing can provide considerable information about their culture and character. I disagree with this view because, although traditional clothes can give some information about cultural background, clothing is generally not a reliable way to judge someone's personality.

One reason why clothes can provide some information about culture is that traditional clothing is often connected with customs and traditions. People may wear particular clothes during religious festivals, weddings or other cultural events, which can give others an idea about their background. For example, an Indian person wearing traditional clothes such as a saree or kurta at a wedding may be expressing their connection to their culture. However, people also commonly wear modern international fashion, so their everyday clothes may provide very little information about their cultural background.

On the other hand, clothing is not a reliable way to judge a person's character. People choose what to wear for many different reasons, including comfort, fashion, work requirements and the occasion. Their clothes therefore do not necessarily reflect their personality or behaviour. For instance, a quiet and responsible student may wear fashionable clothes simply because they are popular among young people. This does not mean that the student is outgoing or careless. Therefore, judging someone's character based on their appearance can easily lead to incorrect assumptions.

In conclusion, although clothing can sometimes provide clues about a person's cultural background, I disagree that it can tell us a lot about their culture and character. A person's personality is better understood through their behaviour, values and actions than through their appearance.

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, particularly the distinction between cultural expression and individual personality. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of traditional Indian attire and the hypothetical student, which effectively support your claims. The ideas are logically extended, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance. To reach a band 9, you could further explore the nuance of how 'fashion' itself can sometimes be a deliberate choice reflecting character, but the current development is strong and meets the criteria for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the cultural argument and the personality argument is smooth. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One reason why', 'However', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore', which guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'reliable way to judge', 'cultural background', and 'incorrect assumptions' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and natural, it is generally functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more precise or less common collocations or idiomatic expressions related to the topic of identity and social perception. However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of 'although' clauses and conditional-like reasoning. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied, moving between simple and complex forms effectively. To reach the highest band, you could aim for even greater structural complexity and ensure that every sentence demonstrates a high level of grammatical sophistication, but your current performance is very strong and accurate.

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