Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-07

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 7.0)

In today's fast paced world, an increasing number of population have switched their mode of payment from using cash to smartphones. Even though this development has more advantages, it provides convenience and everyday transactions records are stored. However, there are few disadvantages to this trend due to the rise in online frauds.

To begin with, there are several advantages to this development. The primary reason is that it is easy and safe to carry a mobile phone rather than handling cash for purchasing daily essentials. If money is stolen it can never be recovered, whereas banks can be contacted in case of any unauthorised transaction. For example, if a person's phone is stolen or lost, the individual can contact the bank and block their card to avoid any financial loss. As a result, paying digitally is stress free in comparison to carrying cash everywhere.

Additionally, the payment process is significantly faster and residents can easily track their daily transactions. With making payments online, the person can manage the monthly budget accordingly, which can assist them to avoid unnecessary expenses. Consequently, they will stay under budget and may be able to avoid debt in future.

Nevertheless, cyber crime is one of the major reasons why some people avoid paying using cellphones. This is because scammers can easily access the bank details or debit card information online, due to that they can wipe out all the money in the person's account. Therefore, individuals will suffer financial pressure. Despite this, these problems can be reduced through stronger security measures and reliable digital infrastructure, meaning that they are less significant than the benefits of mobile payments.

In conclusion, although paying for goods through mobile applications can pose certain risks, such as security concerns, I believe that the advantages outweigh these disadvantages because mobile payments offer greater convenience, speed and ease of use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages of mobile payments outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with logical arguments regarding security, convenience, and financial management. The development is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively reinforces the initial stance. The response is well-structured, and the arguments are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. No parts of the prompt were ignored, and the focus remains on the topic throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Additionally,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. While some cohesive devices are standard, they are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, contributing to a coherent overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant topic-specific terms such as 'unauthorised transaction,' 'financial loss,' 'digital infrastructure,' and 'cyber crime.' There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'an increasing number of population' (should be 'the population') and 'With making payments' (should be 'By making payments'). However, these errors do not impede communication. The range is adequate to express ideas clearly, and the student demonstrates an ability to use less common vocabulary appropriately in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good control of grammar, using a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are frequent error-free sentences, though some minor slips occur, such as 'due to that they can wipe out' (which is slightly awkward phrasing) and 'an increasing number of population.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and the errors present do not cause any difficulty for the reader. The variety of structures used, including conditional sentences and relative clauses, shows a good command of English grammar suitable for this level.

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