Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-11

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 6.0)

Online transactions are becoming increasingly common in many countries. This situation has more benefits than drawbacks. This essay will discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

One of the advantages of online transactions is the ability of being fast. Most businesses in recent times prefer online payment to physical cash payment, where customers visit the business outlet and pay for what they ordered. With the help of electronic devices like phones and tablets, many individuals pay for things online. This kind of transaction tends to save a lot of time and energy when paying for products. A customer can order an item online and can pay immediately for such an item, and the business owner can receive the payment instantly. For example, a customer who resides in Benin City can purchase some items from a vendor that stays in Lagos without having to visit Lagos for payment. Another benefit of online transactions is the ability to be convenient for customers. Many individuals now find it hard to visit physical stores to buy things due to their work or different engagement, but with online transactions, it gives them the convenience to purchase anything online in the comfort of their home, work, or duties.

One disadvantage of this electronic transaction is poor network. Many customers who tend to purchase items online tend to experience poor network either from their network providers or from the bank through the bank app. This serves as a delay in the business transaction that may result in cancelling the purchase by the purchase. For instance, a Nigerian student who in tending purchasing school bags online may be faced with a poor network service from her network provider and can cause a delay in paying for the bags.

In conclusion, the advantages of using mobile phone apps are fast and convenient. Its disadvantage is network failure. This situation has more benefits than drawbacks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, and it clearly states a position in the introduction and conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive. For instance, the two advantages mentioned—speed and convenience—are closely related, and the explanation of the disadvantage is limited to a single point regarding network issues. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to expand on your points with more varied examples or deeper analysis. The conclusion is also quite brief and merely restates the introduction without adding any final insight or synthesis of the arguments presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the argument. There is a logical progression from the introduction to the body paragraphs and the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'One of the advantages' and 'Another benefit' are used, but the transition between sentences within paragraphs could be smoother. Additionally, some referencing is slightly awkward, such as 'the purchase by the purchase' in the third paragraph, which disrupts the flow of the argument. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'electronic transactions' and 'vendor'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic words like 'things', 'pay', and 'online'. There are also some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the ability of being fast' instead of 'the advantage of speed' or 'fast processing'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and avoid repetitive phrasing to demonstrate a wider range of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'the ability of being fast', 'the vendor that stays in Lagos' (should be 'who is based in'), and 'a Nigerian student who in tending purchasing' (should be 'who is intending to purchase'). Punctuation is generally correct, but the sentence construction often feels slightly unnatural. To reach a higher band, focus on reducing these small errors and increasing the variety of complex sentence structures used to express your ideas.

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