Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages?

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

It is often seen that in many countries, the use of mobile phone apps to pay for things is drastically increasing. This is a positive development that you do not have to carry the hard cash with you but it is not benificial for local shopkeeper's who does not have the digital payment options.

To commence with, the benifit of using the app to pay for your daily grocery, to fill up the gas and many more other things is very easy and convenient because you do not need to carry the cash. In other words, by paying with your phone can give you easy access to track your everyday transaction record. Thus, both buyer and seller both can easily calculate their monthly expensive and profit. Moreover, online payment is the fastest way to pay. To elaborate, you can complete your transaction with in a second and it is very secure way to spend money. So, now you do not have any fear of droping your coins or paper notes anywhere from your pocket along with that no body can steal your money easily.

On the other hand, the local vendors are suffering because of the online payment. To explicate, they do not familiar of that modern technology and do not have the any devices to collect money. so their sales are dropping everyday because most of the customers do not carry cash. It is very difficult to use online method the places where there is no network, with data plan or wifi you are unable to pay. For example, If you go to the area with no internet, there it is very hard purchase anything. So carrying hard cash cannot be ignored totally.

In conclusion,Mobile pay can make your payment faster and secure but without the connectivity you cannot operate anything in your mobile phone so something using cash is

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the question and state a clear overall view: mobile payments are convenient, but they can disadvantage local shopkeepers and fail where there is no internet. The points about transaction records, speed, security, and connectivity are relevant. However, the position is not fully resolved: the opening calls the development positive, while the conclusion shifts to a warning about cash without clearly stating whether advantages or disadvantages are greater. Some ideas also need fuller support—for example, explain how vendors’ falling sales affect them or how often connectivity problems occur. A more decisive comparison of the two sides, supported by a specific example, would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. Sequencing within the main paragraphs is generally understandable, and phrases such as “To elaborate” and “On the other hand” signal the direction of the discussion. However, some linking is mechanical or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “To…” transitions and “So.” The conclusion is incomplete and does not clearly connect back to the question of which side is stronger. There are also unclear references, such as “both buyer and seller both,” and the final sentence trails off. Use fewer formulaic connectors, make references precise, and ensure the conclusion completes the argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “transaction record,” “digital payment options,” “connectivity,” and “local vendors.” These terms help communicate the main ideas, and the reader can generally understand your meaning. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “monthly expensive and profit,” “droping your coins,” and “do not familiar of that modern technology.” Spelling errors, including “benificial,” “benifit,” and “everyday” where “every day” is intended, also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural topic-specific phrasing and check spelling and word forms carefully; this would make your vocabulary more precise and fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including explanations introduced by “because” and a conditional idea about areas without internet. The main points are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity and control. For example, “local shopkeeper's who does not have” has problems with plural agreement and the relative clause, while “they do not familiar” is missing a verb. The sentence beginning “It is very difficult to use online method…” is also incomplete, and the conclusion ends without a complete grammatical thought. Review subject–verb agreement, articles, and complete sentence structure, and proofread punctuation and sentence boundaries. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the response.

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