Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-14

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)

Technological advancements and innovations taking a leap with passing time everyday are a common phenomenon nowadays. Developments with the invention of artificial intelligence have covered our everyday lives and online shopping is one of the most common features gifted to us. Security of online payments is a big concern especially when we can see an escalation in cybercrime today. I shall exhibit some of the pros and cons related to the boon or bane of paying through mobile apps in the forthcoming paragraphs.

To commence with, apps like google pay, apple pay, debit or credit card payments stored in digital wallets, etc. are taken into consideration because people could avoid the hassle of carrying cash. For instance, I saw a couple who came to take a walk in the garden and seeing a convenience store nearby, went to get their daily groceries. This was possible because they had their cellphones with them and they could pay with it which wasn’t a dilemma for them at all. Another benefit is speed, ease and biometric locks to keep your money safe if your phone is stolen and the flexibility of the avoiding bulky purses with yourselves.

In comparison, if we take a look at the other side, then dead batteries or broken screens become a huge concern. On top of that, technical and data issues can block transactions and some places are such which still do not accept phone payments. Recently, I saw a person struggling to buy a necessary equipment for himself when he forgot to get his cards and the store didn’t have the facility of online payments. Sometimes, scams and digital thefts can still target your linked accounts.

Recapitulating it, I would opine if a proportionate balance is maintained then we could use it in an appropriate manner keeping in mind both its benefits and disadvantages with its usage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages of mobile payments. However, the position is not clearly stated in the introduction; instead of taking a firm stance, the writer merely states they will 'exhibit' the pros and cons. While the ideas are relevant, the development is somewhat superficial. For example, the anecdote about the couple in the garden is a bit anecdotal and lacks depth in terms of broader societal impact. To reach a higher band, the writer should clearly state their position in the introduction and ensure that each main point is supported by more robust analysis rather than simple personal observations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'To commence with' and 'In comparison', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, though the conclusion is quite brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented in the body paragraphs. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring the conclusion provides a more comprehensive summary would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at using less common vocabulary, such as 'phenomenon', 'escalation', and 'proportionate balance'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'technological advancements and innovations taking a leap' and 'avoiding bulky purses with yourselves'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Expanding the range of precise vocabulary and focusing on natural collocations would improve this score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'Developments with the invention of artificial intelligence have covered our everyday lives' (which is slightly awkward) and 'some places are such which still do not accept' (which is grammatically incorrect). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and phrasing issues throughout. While the meaning is always clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from being considered error-free. To improve, the writer should focus on subject-verb agreement and refining complex sentence structures to ensure they are used accurately.

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