Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-17
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 6.5)
Nowadays, some people believe that persons culture and character can be understood from their choice of clothes. I partly agree with this opinion because clothes can show information about the person, but they cannot tell us everything.
To begin with, clothes can give us an idea about a person's culture. People from different countries often wear traditional clothes during festivals, weddings, and other special events. For example, many Indian people wear kurta pajamas or sarees during celebrations. Similarly, people in Canada may wear casual clothes on special occasions. These clothes show their cultural background and traditions.
Clothes can also show some parts of a person's character. For example, a person who wears simple and comfortable clothes may prefer a relaxed lifestyle. Someone who likes fashionable clothes may be interested in trends. Moreover, people often choose clothes according to their mood, job, or activity. A person who wears formal clothes at work they want to look professional and responsible.
However, I do not think clothes can completely explain someone's personality or culture. Many people wear clothes because they are comfortable, affordable, or suitable for the weather. For example, a person may wear Western clothes even if they come from a traditional family. Also, some people wear expensive clothes but may not be kind or honest. Therefore, judging a person only by their clothes can be misleading.
In conclusion, clothes can provide a person's culture and character, but they are not enough to understand someone . We should also consider their behaviour, values, and the way they treat other people.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by taking a clear, nuanced position ('I partly agree with this opinion because clothes can show information about the person, but they cannot tell us everything'). The body paragraphs successfully explore both sides of the argument. In paragraphs two and three, the writer supports the view that clothes reflect culture and character with relevant examples, such as Indian people wearing sarees during celebrations or individuals wearing formal clothes at work to look professional. In paragraph four, the counter-argument is well-developed, noting that clothing choices are often dictated by comfort, weather, or affordability rather than inner personality. Ideas are extended appropriately, meeting the requirements of Band 7.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to cultural aspects, character traits, counter-arguments, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Clothes can also show', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively. While referencing is generally clear, a minor slip occurs in the third paragraph ('A person who wears formal clothes at work they want to look professional'), where a pronoun redundancy affects the local cohesion, fitting the profile of Band 7.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, such as 'traditional background', 'relaxed lifestyle', and 'misleading'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary items like 'affordable', 'appropriate', and 'celebrations'. However, there are minor lexical and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'provide a person's culture and character' in the concluding paragraph, where 'reflect' or 'reveal' would be more appropriate. Spelling is generally accurate throughout, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'People from different countries often wear traditional clothes during festivals...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, particularly in the body paragraphs. However, a few grammatical errors persist, such as the missing article in the opening sentence ('persons culture' instead of 'a person's culture') and the redundant pronoun structure in paragraph three ('A person who wears formal clothes at work they want...'). Despite these occasional lapses, punctuation and grammar are under good control and rarely impede communication, satisfying the descriptors for Band 6.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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