Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Nowadays it is becoming increasingly popular for individuals to pay their bills using mobile phones. Although this development has some disadvantages such as security but I believe it has more advantages like convenience and easier financial management.

One major importance of mobile payment is convenience. People so not need to carry their physical bank cards or cash whenever they travel outside. Mobile phones have a feature where they can store their banking card details in the app and just make the payment through a click. For example, if a person forgets his wallet at home and need to purchase groceries or do a bus payment he can still do it using his smartphone because the card details are already saved he just needs to click a few tabs which makes it very convenient and time effective.

Another benefit is that mobile banking apps helps individuals track their spending record. Unlike cash transactions make it difficult to know how much amount is used and keeping zero record. Banking transactions are automatically recorded and stored in the app which can help users to know where and when they have spent their money. For instance, a person who regularly spends on restaurants and entertainment can track how much they have spent and adjust their spending accordingly using mobile app. As a result this helps them in making better financial choices and keeping them aware of their financial situation.

However, there are some disadvantages associated with this development. The most significant concern is security. If a person's phone is stolen or their account is hacked, criminals may potentially gain access to their financial information. In addition, some people may become too dependent on digital payments and experience difficulties if their phone loses its battery or there is a technical problem with the payment system. Nevertheless, these risks can be reduced by using strong passwords, biometric security and two-factor authentication.

In conclusion, although mobile phone payments can involve security risks and technical problems, I believe that their advantages outweigh their disadvantages. Their convenience and ability to help users monitor their spending make them a valuable development in modern society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly the points regarding convenience and financial tracking. The discussion of disadvantages is also balanced and relevant. The essay maintains a clear position throughout, and the arguments are supported with logical examples, such as the scenario of forgetting a wallet or the tracking of restaurant spending. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. The response is well-structured and meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'Another benefit', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. While some transitions are standard, they are used accurately. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. The flow of information is consistent, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms such as 'financial management', 'transactions', 'biometric security', and 'two-factor authentication' correctly. There is some attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some phrasing is slightly repetitive (e.g., 'mobile payment', 'mobile banking apps'). The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors in collocation that impede communication. The range is adequate to convey the intended meaning clearly and with a degree of sophistication suitable for this type of essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a good control of grammar, using a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor errors, such as 'People so not need' (typo for 'do'), 'make it difficult' (should be 'makes'), and 'amount is used' (slightly awkward phrasing). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede the reader's understanding. The use of complex sentences, such as 'Although this development has some disadvantages... I believe it has more advantages', shows a good grasp of sentence variety. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the overall grammatical control is strong.

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