Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-10
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 6.5)
Digital methods of payments such as mobile phone apps are gaining importance in multiple nations. It has significant advantages such as convenience and some disadvantage like possible cyber-theft .
On one hand, one of the significant merit offered by digital methods of payment is convenience. Since, people do not carry the cash or credit cards every where if they can pay through the phone, it considerably enhances their shopping experience. Another important advantage is reduced risk of theft or pick-pocketing. This is because since individuals do not carry large cash amounts, it drops the chances of loss of money by theft or by pick-pocketing. Furthermore, using digital money reduces corruption at multiple levels as shopkeepers cannot hide their earnings from government and need to pay taxes on their income which is truly get reflected from their business accounts. This practice prevents black money accumulation and uplifts the society as a whole.
On the other hand, the demerit such as risk of cyber-theft cannot be overlooked as it can put consumers in formidable situations. It is quite common to hear the stories of cyber-fraud by the devious criminals who are coming up with innovative ways to steal money online. When one enters his credit card or bank details on the apps, there is always a risk of data leak which can be misused by hackers to steal the hard earned money of innocent users. Even though, many applications promise secure platforms the risk of such incidents cannot be minimized.
In conclusion, although paying through cellular apps has a disadvantage of possible cyber-theft, the advantages offered in terms of convenience, prevention of in-person theft and transparency in business are far more considerable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, particularly the points regarding convenience and the reduction of corruption. The argument is well-supported with examples, such as the mention of tax transparency and the risk of data leaks. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could further develop the 'disadvantages' section with more specific real-world examples or a deeper analysis of the societal impact of digital exclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as the phrase 'which is truly get reflected' which disrupts the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages from the disadvantages, contributing to the overall clarity of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'formidable situations', 'devious criminals', and 'black money accumulation' show an attempt to use less common lexical items. However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'truly get reflected' and 'drops the chances of loss'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task and conveys the intended meaning effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is a good attempt at using complex sentences, such as 'Since, people do not carry the cash... if they can pay through the phone, it considerably enhances...'. However, there are several grammatical errors, including punctuation issues (e.g., the unnecessary comma after 'Since') and awkward phrasing like 'which is truly get reflected'. While these errors are noticeable, they do not cause difficulty for the reader. To improve, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and refining the use of articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.