Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-02

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 several nations, the use of mobile applications to pay for goods and services is becoming increasingly widespread due to its convenience. Despite having some negative effects, I believe that the develpment has potential advantages over its setbacks.

One key benefit of this app is the convenience it provides. People can pay for products and services with just one tap without having to carry physical cash and bank cards. Additionally, payment application enables the users to monitor their expenses, send money internationally as well as settle the credit card bills with ease. In Canada, people highly rely on Apple pay to make transactions for purchases like groceries, public transportation as well as restaurant bills making it convenient and reliable.

However, one cannot overlook the other side too, one significant drawback is the risk of security breaches. If a mobile phone is lost or financial information is leaked than it could lead to account being exposed. Moreover, most of the elderly people and those who are not comfortable with the usage of mordern technologies may find it difficult to use. Another problem is that if the phone runs out of battery or if there is no stable connection then such applications are useless. A pertinent example is, if a person's smartphone is lost, the criminals may gain access to such applications and make unauthorised transactions, particularly is the device is not adequately protected.

To conclude, although mobile phone applications have potential risk of security and accessibilty, however, the positive aspects are greater as it is more convenient, user-friendly and it aids in making financial transactions quickly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of mobile payment applications and presents a clear position throughout. The introduction establishes the stance that the advantages outweigh the drawbacks, which is maintained until the conclusion. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant details, such as the mention of Apple Pay usage in Canada and the risks associated with lost smartphones and unauthorized transactions. However, there is a slight tendency to over-generalize in parts, such as grouping all elderly people together regarding technology usage. To reach a higher band, the ideas could be even more fully and deeply developed with additional specific examples or broader socio-economic context.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the benefits, then the drawbacks, and finally a summarizing conclusion. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to connect ideas, as seen with phrases like 'Additionally', 'However', and 'To conclude'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different arguments. While referencing is generally clear, occasional mechanical transitions prevent the cohesion from being entirely seamless. To achieve a higher level, the writer could employ more sophisticated and varied cohesive patterns to link sentences and paragraphs with greater subtlety and fluidity.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, demonstrating a sufficient range to allow some flexibility and precision. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items and collocations, such as 'security breaches', 'financial information', and 'unauthorized transactions'. However, there are a few lexical inaccuracies and spelling slips, such as 'develpment' instead of development, 'mordern' instead of modern, and 'accessibilty' instead of accessibility, alongside minor word choice awkwardness like 'settle the credit card bills'. These errors do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably within the mid-range for vocabulary. To improve further, the writer should focus on expanding lexical precision, checking spelling carefully, and utilizing more sophisticated collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating an ability to combine clauses effectively using subordinating and coordinating conjunctions, such as 'Although mobile phone applications have potential risk...'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including articles and prepositions, such as 'the payment application enables the users' instead of omitting the article, 'than it could lead to' instead of then, and 'particularly is the device' instead of if. However, these errors rarely impede communication and the majority of simple sentences remain accurate. To move up to a higher band, the writer needs to produce a greater frequency of error-free complex sentences and maintain tighter control over punctuation and prepositions.

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