Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-06

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)

Due to the advancement of technology it has become more common for people to use devices to make a payment. In my opinion, it has more advantages over disadvantages due to the perks comes along with it such as the security and convenience it provides.

To begin with, majority of the people all around world find it easy and practical to use cellphones because you can carry your phone everywhere without any hustle and worrying about carrying cash everywhere. Additionally, it is a secure mode of transection. To simplify, you can manage each and every transaction through the banking app from your phone which helps you track your money. Even in the worse case anything happened you can easily block the card via online banking apps in the phone rather than physically be present in the bank. One of the biggest advantage is you can order anything online by making online payment such as, groceries, clothes, household items or medication anything and everything has become accessible without leaving the house.

While on the other hand, many older generation find it difficult to operate the devices which makes it inconvenient to use. Furthermore, many traditional individuals think carrying cash is a safer option due to the high chance of online scam. For example, one of the drawback would be money laundering happening online by receiving fake phone calls.

In conclusion, despite of having a risk of online scam and difficulty to adapt with the new system, I will strongly appreciate the conveniency and accessibility it provides.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in favor of mobile payments. The ideas are relevant, covering security, convenience, and the counter-argument regarding the older generation and security risks. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the point about 'money laundering' is mentioned but not clearly linked to the specific context of mobile apps versus general online fraud. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed explanations or concrete examples to support your arguments, rather than listing points briefly. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, maintaining a clear position throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'To begin with,' 'Additionally,' and 'While on the other hand,' which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. For example, the transition between the benefits of tracking money and the ability to block cards is a bit abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring a more natural flow between ideas would enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'advancement of technology,' 'convenience,' and 'accessibility.' However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'hustle' (likely meaning 'hassle'), 'transection' (transaction), and 'worse case' (worst case). The phrase 'perks comes along with it' also contains a grammatical error in agreement. To improve, focus on using more precise vocabulary and ensuring correct word forms. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning, it lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher band scores.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'majority of the people all around world' (missing articles), 'anything happened' (tense error), and 'despite of' (incorrect preposition usage). Additionally, there are issues with subject-verb agreement and sentence fragments. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and refining your use of complex structures will help you achieve a higher band.

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

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