Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-11

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)

Globally, it has been observed that in many countries digital currency has gained a lot of importance. Majority of the people prefer to pay using their cellphones. This method has a lot of advantages, and in spite of few disadvantages also; it still is a great method which makes transactions very convenient.

Among the advantages, the first one is that it saves time. As compared to traditional money which needs carefully checking, adding and then waiting for the excess or remaining amount to be given back, digital money can be paid in the exact required amount within seconds. Secondly, one can make payments with the cellphone so the need of carrying a physical currency in a wallet or bag is eliminated. Thirdly, it reduces the risk of theft because physical currency is vulnerable to theft while digital currency is comparatively less vulnerable.

On the other hand, digital currency has a couple of disadvantages as well. Firstly, you need to be tech-savvy to operate digital money and transactions. Secondly, it is dependent on the internet and if the internet faces any connectivity issues then one can't make use of digital currency. Lastly, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary shopping because while we make use of physical currency we know exactly how much we r spending but in digital currency we might spend some extra pounds without realising what we are doing.

In my opinion, digital transactions are a blessing, if used cautiously. It has the tendency to make our lives better and easier in future. When used carefully, digital currency can make transactions very convenient.

In conclusion, the advantages of digital currency outweigh its disadvantages if it is used responsibly taking all necessary precautions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages of mobile payments outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically grouped into advantages and disadvantages. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. For instance, the point about 'unnecessary shopping' is a strong observation but could have been expanded with a concrete example to reach a higher band. The conclusion is clear and reinforces the main argument. To improve, ensure that each point is supported by a more detailed explanation or a specific example to demonstrate a deeper level of analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the advantages from the disadvantages. Cohesive devices such as 'Among the advantages', 'Secondly', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions are a bit mechanical. The referencing is clear throughout, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a solid band 7 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express ideas clearly. There is some use of topic-specific vocabulary like 'digital currency', 'transactions', and 'tech-savvy'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. For example, 'a lot of importance' and 'a lot of advantages' are repetitive and basic. To reach a higher band, the student should aim for more precise and varied collocations and avoid overusing generic intensifiers like 'a lot of'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'in spite of few disadvantages also; it still is' (punctuation and phrasing) and 'we know exactly how much we r spending' (informal abbreviation 'r'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable. The use of complex sentences is present but could be more varied and accurate. Improving control over punctuation and avoiding informal abbreviations will help in achieving a higher score.

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

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