Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-22
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 the number countries, payments through online application are becoming popular nowadays. This essay will discuss the prime benefits of it, firstly it is a most convenient and faster method of payment . Secondly, it can track spendings of a person.
The first and foremost benefit of the online payment is that it is easy to use and it also helps a person to save the time. That is to say, If a person wants to do a payment of large amount at any shop, one can do it with a click in the few seconds and need not to carry paper currency with them regardless with the country. For example, a person can purchase a car or a house for their parents by sitting in the different country through online payment app or Net banking.
Through online payment applications one can track one's spending and saving records. As there are track meters in different banking apps where a person can track one's daily spendings also these track meters help a person how to use money wisely. In illustration, TD bank has significant track meter where a person can see one's overspendings and can become careful in future regarding money. .
In conclusion, mobile payment application has advantages , as it is more easier to use even if person is in the different country and it also help people how to spend and save money.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The essay addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages of mobile payments, but it fails to provide a balanced view or a clear position on whether there are more advantages than disadvantages. The response is also under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of development. While the ideas regarding convenience and financial tracking are relevant, they are not fully extended. The conclusion is brief and does not adequately summarise the argument. To improve, you should ensure you address all parts of the prompt, including potential disadvantages, and expand your supporting points with more detailed explanations or examples to meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'The first and foremost', 'In illustration'). Some transitions between sentences are abrupt, and the logical flow within paragraphs could be smoother. For instance, the transition from discussing convenience to the example of buying a house is a bit disjointed. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks variety and sophistication. You rely on basic terms such as 'good', 'easy', and 'popular'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'track meters' instead of 'budgeting tools' or 'spending trackers', and 'regardless with the country' which is grammatically incorrect. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to finance and technology, and focus on using collocations more accurately to express your ideas with greater clarity and naturalness.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'In the number countries', 'do a payment', and 'need not to carry'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before periods and awkward phrasing like 'regardless with the country'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors suggests a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of English syntax and article usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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