Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-12

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 8.0)

### Mobile Phone Payments

In many countries, paying for goods and services through mobile phone applications has become increasingly popular. Although this development has some disadvantages, I believe that the advantages are greater because mobile payments are convenient, fast and reduce the need to carry cash.

One major advantage of mobile payments is convenience. People can pay for groceries, meals, bills and other services within a few seconds by using their smartphones. They do not need to carry a wallet full of cash or search for an ATM. For example, in Canada, many people use mobile payment applications or digital wallets when shopping in stores, which makes everyday transactions much easier and quicker.

Another benefit is that mobile payments can be more secure and easier to track than cash. Most payment applications require a password, fingerprint or facial recognition before completing a transaction. In addition, users can check their payment history through the application, which can help them manage their spending. This is particularly useful for people who want to keep a record of their daily expenses.

However, there are some disadvantages. The biggest problem is that mobile payments depend on technology. If a person's phone battery is dead, the internet is unavailable, or the payment system stops working, they may not be able to complete a purchase. There are also concerns about online fraud and privacy because personal and financial information is stored digitally.

In conclusion, although paying through mobile phone applications can create problems related to technology, fraud and privacy, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The convenience, speed, security and easy record-keeping make mobile payments a useful development in modern society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The advantages (convenience, security, tracking) and disadvantages (technological reliance, privacy) are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of Canadian digital wallets. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively summarises your stance. To reach a band 9, you could further nuance the discussion by briefly acknowledging the societal impact of the 'digital divide' for those without access to such technology, but the current development is sufficient for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using 'However' effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'For example', and 'In conclusion' are used naturally and accurately. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'digital wallets', 'everyday transactions', and 'online fraud'. The language is precise and natural throughout. While the vocabulary is accurate and sufficient, it is mostly standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations or idiomatic expressions, such as 'ubiquitous nature of mobile payments' or 'mitigate the risks associated with'. However, the current usage is error-free and effectively communicates your points.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If a person's phone battery is dead...') and subordinate clauses ('Although this development has some disadvantages...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, or punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent. This level of accuracy and range is indicative of a strong performance.

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.