Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-17
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)
In my home country we have plenty of applications like Phone pee and Google pay and Paytm Etc. These applications are installed on mobile phones and used for paying the bills, Recharges, Rentals and for Trading also. Everything became simple and easy now are days by using the applications. In olden days we used to go to shop for recharges and bill payments and we used to go to school for paying school fees. After applications coming in to the market it became easy and secure to make all the different kids of bill payments in fraction of time. By using the application we are saving lots of time and fuel.
But there are some Disadvantages also like by using the application for payments. There is no value for money and we are spending the money with out thinking of anything and later we are getting regret for the spends done online. If we used cash to spend there will be a limit to spend the money because we will have certain amount to spend. But if we used the online application then we don't hesitate to spend or purchase. And more over there is another issue also like Sending money to banks and other persons using online applications may cause problems like sending money by number can create issues like single number change can send money to different person and some times sending money to person and gets stuck due to technical issue or network issues in emergency also creates problems. And problems occured by banks takes atleast 24 to 48 Hours.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages of mobile payment apps. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. While you mention benefits like saving time and fuel, and drawbacks like overspending and technical errors, these points lack depth and specific, well-explained examples. The position is clear, but the essay would benefit from a more structured approach, such as a formal introduction and conclusion, to better frame the argument. To improve, ensure each point is supported by a clear explanation or a more detailed scenario rather than just listing them.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into two main paragraphs, but the flow is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited, relying heavily on simple conjunctions like 'and' or 'but' to start sentences. There is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas within and between paragraphs. For instance, the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is abrupt. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider range of cohesive devices (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'on the other hand') and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence to guide the reader through your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. You use phrases like 'paying the bills' and 'making payments' multiple times. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'kids of bill payments' (likely meaning 'kinds') and 'getting regret'. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more precise and varied vocabulary related to finance and technology. Avoid informal phrasing and focus on using words that accurately convey your meaning in a formal context. Expanding your range of synonyms will help you avoid repeating the same words throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. Issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'After applications coming in'), missing articles, and punctuation errors. The sentence structure is often repetitive, with many sentences starting in a similar way. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like subject-verb agreement and article usage. Incorporating a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences or relative clauses, will help demonstrate better control over your grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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