Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-01

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 5.0)

Nowadays in various counties are using smart phone to buying goods applications as it is more benefit for them in many reasons that I will mention in this essay.

There are various advantages to using cellphone buying items from applications in several countries. Ordering products from online shopping platform application from mobile phone like Amazon or E-bay are more convenient in terms of travel to purchase from a store. For instance a bad weather condition like Summer in Thailand is extremely boiling, and people are avoiding to get burn or dehydrated during staying outside. Buying needed items online are convenient and protect users from burnt and heat outdoor. From my experience, I visited shopping online website often while I am in Australia to buy gifts for my family's special day without traveling back to Thailand as I can do it anytime and anywhere I am, only needed a handphone.

Moreover, People can make an online purchase by using online bank applications as nowadays many countries are encourage people to become cashless system where cash is not necessary for paying for things. They only need credit or debit card to deduct money from digital apps. As I have already mentioned it above, I often use internet banking online to pay for gifts as it is convenient and useful.

In conclusion, I believe that purchasing things by using cellphone are advantage and convenient because I can reach the selling platform and pay for the items I prefer without going outside and can make a purchase everywhere in the world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing the advantages of mobile payment apps. However, it fails to address the 'disadvantages' aspect of the prompt, which asks whether there are more advantages or disadvantages. By only focusing on the benefits, the essay is one-sided and lacks a balanced discussion. The position is clear, but the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on the concept of 'convenience' without exploring other facets like security risks or digital exclusion. To improve, you must acknowledge the opposing view or potential drawbacks to provide a more comprehensive response that fully meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes mechanical. While cohesive devices like 'Moreover' and 'In conclusion' are used, they are occasionally used in a way that feels forced or repetitive. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'As I have already mentioned it above', which is unnecessary and disrupts the flow. The logical connection between sentences could be strengthened by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a distinct, well-developed point rather than restating the same idea of convenience.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There is a reliance on basic terms like 'buying', 'items', and 'convenient'. Some word choices are unnatural or incorrect, such as 'handphone' (a regionalism) and 'extremely boiling' (which is a collocation error; 'boiling' already implies extreme heat). There are also issues with word forms, such as 'are encourage' instead of 'are encouraged'. To improve, you should focus on learning more sophisticated collocations and academic vocabulary related to technology and finance to express your ideas with greater precision and variety.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'Nowadays in various counties are using' and 'purchasing things... are advantage'. Articles are frequently missing or misused, and there are errors in sentence structure, such as 'people are avoiding to get burn' (should be 'avoid getting burned'). While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often grammatically flawed. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that prepositions and verb forms are used correctly.

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

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