Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-18

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 7.5)

In many countries, mobile payment applications have become an increasingly popular way of paying for goods and services. Although this development can create certain risks, I believe that its advantages are considerably greater, particularly in terms of convenience, efficiency and financial management.

One major advantage of mobile payments is their convenience. People can purchase products or services within seconds without carrying cash or physical bank cards. This is particularly beneficial when making small payments, such as buying groceries, paying for public transport or ordering food online. Moreover, mobile payment apps allow users to complete transactions at almost any time and from virtually anywhere. For example, a person who forgets their wallet at home can still pay for essential items using their smartphone, provided that they have access to a digital payment account.

Another significant benefit is that mobile payments can make financial transactions more secure and easier to monitor. Unlike cash, which can be lost or stolen permanently, smartphones and payment applications can be protected by passwords, fingerprints or facial recognition. In addition, most applications automatically record transactions, enabling users to review their spending and manage their budgets more effectively. For instance, someone who regularly uses a mobile payment app can quickly identify unnecessary expenditure by checking their transaction history.

However, this development is not without disadvantages. The most serious concern is the risk of cybercrime and financial fraud. If a person's phone or payment account is hacked, sensitive financial information could potentially be misused. There is also a risk that some people may become overly dependent on digital payments and struggle when there is a technical problem, such as a poor internet connection, a dead phone battery or a failure of the payment system. Furthermore, elderly people and those who are less familiar with technology may find mobile payment systems difficult to use.

In conclusion, although mobile payment applications involve risks related to security, technology and accessibility, I believe their benefits outweigh these drawbacks. Their speed, convenience and ability to provide greater control over personal spending make them a highly beneficial development when appropriate security measures are in place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of forgetting a wallet or the use of biometric security. The arguments are balanced, acknowledging the risks of cybercrime and dependency while effectively arguing that the benefits of convenience and financial management outweigh these concerns. The ideas are extended logically, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and providing a comprehensive answer to the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover', 'In addition', 'For instance', and 'However', which help to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have demonstrated a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. Phrases such as 'sensitive financial information', 'unnecessary expenditure', and 'overly dependent' show a good command of topic-specific language. The word choice is natural and appropriate for an academic or formal context. There are no significant errors in collocation or spelling, and the vocabulary used is sufficient to convey complex meanings with ease. You have successfully used less common lexical items to enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high levels of accuracy. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If a person's phone... is hacked, sensitive financial information could potentially be misused.' The punctuation is accurate, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. There are no persistent grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex sentence forms is consistent, demonstrating a high level of grammatical competence throughout the essay.

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