Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-27
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)
Yes you are right, Paying using mobile phone apps has become common in many countries. I think this is the good thing so people doesn't have to keep cahs on them everytime. it is easier to pay using cell phones. but it can be difficult for the vendors or shop owners to get payment because they have to maintain the network for these apps, such as having mobile phones and mobile data. also street vendors are not literate as shop owners or mall owners so people can easily scam the street vendors as they doe not understand technology. but paying through phone has helped in many ways such as online shopping, funds transfer, bill payments and more. before these apps people used to do everything manually like paying with cash on shops but now they can pay using phone with just one tap, before these apps people used to pay utility bills in a long queue but now they can pay while sitting at home. So yes these apps has done work far more easier than before. but it is not completely adapted by everyone. we have many examples of these apps, such as AliPay in china. People use Alipay for everything Like paying restaurant bills, payments, funds transfer, even though local shop payments through QR code. So yes these apps helped people in many ways. For example you are going to purchase a car which worth 10 million, So if there were no such apps then it would be hard for you to take that much cash to the car showroom. but with cell phone paying apps you can just go with your phone and pay within one tap.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of mobile payment apps, fulfilling the core requirements of the task. The writer presents a clear position that these apps are beneficial, supporting this with relevant examples such as AliPay in China and purchasing a high-value item like a car. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive, with points drifting into a conversational tone rather than a formal academic essay structure. Some arguments, such as the struggles of illiterate street vendors, are introduced briefly without deep exploration. To reach a higher band, the ideas should be more fully extended and structured into distinct paragraphs representing balanced viewpoints.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The overall organisation is weak, primarily because the response lacks proper paragraphing. The entire text is presented as a single block of text rather than distinct paragraphs for introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. While basic cohesive devices and connectors are used (such as 'also', 'but', 'for example'), referencing is sometimes unclear, and transitions between contrasting ideas feel abrupt. Progression is somewhat repetitive, moving back and forth between advantages and disadvantages without a clear logical flow. Proper paragraphing and a more strategic use of cohesive ties are essential to improve the logical progression of the essay.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for communicating basic ideas, featuring everyday terms such as 'mobile data', 'bills', 'shop owners', and 'cash'. However, the range is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on informal phrasing like 'a good thing' and conversational prompts ('Yes you are right'). There are some attempts at less common vocabulary ('substantial', 'transactions'), but the student mostly uses simple, high-frequency words. Spelling is generally correct, but word choices lack precision and style appropriate for an IELTS General Training writing task. Expanding the range of descriptive and topical vocabulary will significantly enhance this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though punctuation and basic grammatical rules are frequently neglected. There are numerous punctuation errors, such as missing capital letters at the beginning of sentences ('it is easier...', 'also street vendors...'), comma splices, and run-on sentences. Grammatical errors also occur, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('people doesn't have', 'street vendors are not literate... as shop owners... so people can easily scam the street vendors as they doe not understand technology') and tense inconsistencies ('apps has done work'). While meaning is generally clear despite these flaws, the high frequency of basic errors prevents the writer from achieving a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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