Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-28

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 6.0)

In recent years, there is a considerable rise in the digital payment system, becoming an integral part of modern global society. Although some people believe that people are prompting use of their smartphone for paying their regular bills. This trend is primarily driven by the flexibility and convenience providing by the phone app and efficiency in budget planning which are significant positive sides, while there is some security risks are involve in using such payment method.

First and foremost, payment by phone fosters convenience as user needs only phone to clear all the payments without carrying cash, heavy wallets and physical cards. Hence, it provides freedom to them by eliminating all the other essential requirements. In addition to that, it provides facility in budget planning since each and every transaction is demonstrated on banking application along with various information such as shop name, billing date and total expenses done by user. By keeping track of the application, people could spend their money accordingly to their monthly income, while there is option, giving statement about total income, expenses and savings at the end of the month. Consequently, individuals are keeping themselves away from overspending.

Nevertheless, It contains a negative effect in terms of security purpose. To elaborate, nowadays, cybercrimes, phone hacking, consequence of potential theft and scams are rising which leads tension among individuals towards not using phone payment methods as they may loose all the money which they have in their bank account, whereas if they are utilizing cash for shopping, it makes them safer by reducing risk of possible circumstances.

To conclude, despite having some advantages such as finance planning and ease in payment , it involves some threats of modern developed technology like hacking and other scams.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of mobile payment apps. You have a clear position, and the main ideas—convenience and budget tracking versus security risks—are relevant. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the discussion on security could be more detailed by providing a concrete example of a specific type of scam or a real-world scenario. While the task is addressed, the depth of analysis is more consistent with a Band 6 level, as some points are stated rather than fully explored or supported with nuanced evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use some cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost,' 'In addition to that,' and 'Nevertheless' to guide the reader. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. For example, the sentence 'Hence, it provides freedom to them by eliminating all the other essential requirements' is slightly vague. Additionally, some referencing is repetitive, and the connection between sentences could be smoother to achieve a more natural progression of ideas. Overall, the structure is clear, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes basic.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'integral,' 'flexibility,' 'cybercrimes,' and 'transaction.' However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'security purpose' instead of 'security concerns' and 'consequence of potential theft' which is grammatically awkward. The phrase 'demonstrated on banking application' is also slightly unnatural; 'displayed' or 'recorded' would be more appropriate. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('there is some security risks are involve'), incorrect verb forms ('providing by the phone app'), and missing articles ('user needs only phone'). Additionally, there are punctuation errors, such as the unnecessary capitalization of 'It' after 'Nevertheless.' While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points, they are frequent enough to indicate a lack of control over complex structures, which is characteristic of a Band 5.5 or 6.0 performance.

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