Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-20

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)

Cashless payments via electronic devices are gaining popularity globally. This essay will explore the benefits and drawbacks of instant payment deliveries.

To begin with, there are many benefits of sending and receiving money online. This method saves time and reduce the risk of theft of money. For instance, an individual can easily transfer money without the fear of transferring the cash from the bank on a risky road where dacoities are reported off and on. Moreover, in this way, time is also saved because payment is just a click away. In the long run, more money and time can be saved by using such easy and convenient methods of payment.

However, instant online payment delivery methods also has drawbacks. Cybercrimes and risk of fraud are potential threats. Not only new technologies provide ease, but they also increase our security risk. In the modern era, more and more online financial scams are being reported in countries. Moreover, not everyone has access to the stable broadband connection especially those living in countryside.

In the modern times, easy payment method are being prevalent. Although it provides the safety of payment transfer and better time management, it also possess financial security threats and exclude those who do not have access to internet connection.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments provided. While the main points regarding convenience and security are relevant, they are not fully developed or supported with sufficient detail. The position is clear, but the brevity of the response prevents a more thorough exploration of the topic, which is necessary for a higher band score. To improve, you should expand on your examples and provide more detailed explanations for each point raised.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, with an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'However' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the lack of length makes the overall structure feel somewhat underdeveloped. Improving the flow between sentences by using a wider variety of cohesive devices would help create a more sophisticated and natural-sounding argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use some relevant terms like 'cybercrimes', 'financial scams', and 'convenient', but there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. There are also some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'instant payment deliveries' (which is not a standard collocation) and 'dacoities' (which is quite specific and perhaps less common in this context). Expanding your vocabulary to include more academic collocations and precise terminology would enhance your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues: 'this method saves time and reduce' (should be 'reduces') and 'instant online payment delivery methods also has' (should be 'have'). Additionally, there are minor errors like 'easy payment method are being prevalent' (should be 'methods are becoming prevalent'). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of subject-verb agreement and pluralization.

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