Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-19

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 6.5)

A growing number of people are using their smartphones to make payments. This trend is gaining popularity around the globe. Despite having a few demerits, its advantages outweighs the disadvantages.

To commence with, the main advantage of using payment apps is that they are quick and convenient to use. To elaborate, since making payment through cash can be a cumbersome process, buyers have to count the money before giving it to the shopkeepers. Moreover, there are also chances of receiving a counterfeit currency in some countries such as India. Cards can be used to overcome some issues but elderly people complain that they often forget the PIN numbers. As a result, payments through cellphone apps are increasing significantly. For example, payments apps such as PayPal and PayTm allow people to make a purchase using a QR code and their face as a passcode. Apps are directly linked to the bank accounts to process the transactions. This allows customers to enjoy cashless shopping experience. In addition to this, mobile phone apps also provide exciting offers. This means while making a payment customers are given a choice of offers depending upon their banks linked to their payment apps. Although this is a marketing strategy, it is beneficial for buyers as they receive rewards such as cashbacks, free music app or OTT subscriptions or maybe some extra discount on their next transactions.

On the other hand, despite above-mentioned merits, there is a major drawback. Apps such as PhonePay and TipTap are installed on the smartphone. People can only use it till the time their phone has power. Furthermore, depending completely on payments apps can be challenging if there is no internet connectivity. For example, some remote areas such small villages and towns have poor internet connectivity. Hence, these apps can not be used in rural places. Nevertheless, I still believe this trend has more merits than demerits.

To conclude, this essay has discussed easy to use and providing special offers are the advantages whereas also highlighted that payments apps can be used without internet as a limitation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly the discussion on convenience and marketing incentives. However, the conclusion is slightly weak; it misrepresents the body paragraph by stating that apps can be used 'without internet' as a limitation, whereas the text actually argues the opposite (that they cannot be used without internet). This minor inconsistency slightly affects the clarity of the argument. Overall, the response is well-focused and provides sufficient support for the main points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the advantages from the disadvantages. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' are used appropriately to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the conclusion is a bit confusing due to the error mentioned in the task achievement section. Despite this, the flow of information remains clear throughout the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey ideas with some precision. You have used topic-specific terms like 'counterfeit currency', 'cashless shopping experience', and 'marketing strategy' effectively. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'its advantages outweighs' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'payments apps' (should be 'payment apps'). While the range is adequate for the task, it lacks the more sophisticated, less common lexical items that would push the score into the higher bands. The word choice is generally natural and appropriate for the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'its advantages outweighs' (should be 'outweigh'), 'making payment through cash' (should be 'paying with cash'), and 'these apps can not be used' (should be 'cannot'). Additionally, the sentence 'this essay has discussed easy to use and providing special offers are the advantages' is grammatically awkward and lacks proper structure. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures while ensuring accuracy would improve your band.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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