Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-07

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 5.5)

Nowadays there are many different opinions about this topic, I strongly believe that using smart device like smartphone to pay for the things have great impact on people and not only this but paying for stuff by using cellphone have more positive advantages. Although, This kind of development bring few drawbacks in to life.

Firstly, Technology is increasing in day to day life. In the past people used to carry cash when they go for a shopping or on holiday but now mobile phone made it is for everyone, you can just add your card to your mobile and tap to pay for the things. Such as, in india there is a different way to compensate your shopping bills like an app called google pay you just have to scan barcode from shop to pay. Meanwhile, in canada you can add your debit card or credit card in to your device.

Furthermore, there is always two sides of coin just like that this have few negative impact too and one of them is danger of getting your portable device stolen, and you might lose all your money and your private data. Secondly, browser hijacker who can control everything and see each details of your device for instance, in which bank you have your account , your bank ID, password, card pin and so on, And this is a big issue for people who are new to technology like older people and young childrens.

In conclusion, considering all the points mentioned above i personally think that this devlopment may have few drawbacks but the benefit it gives to people is higher which makes this device much more positive.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you believe mobile payments have more advantages, while acknowledging risks. The response addresses both sides and gives relevant examples, including adding a card to a phone and using Google Pay in India. However, the advantages are mainly explained as convenience, and the discussion would be stronger with another distinct benefit, such as faster transactions or easier spending records. The disadvantages are more specific, but the claim that a stolen device could mean losing all your money is not explained or qualified. Develop each main point with a clear explanation of its impact, and make the comparison between the benefits and drawbacks more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for benefits and drawbacks, and a conclusion that restates your view. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Furthermore,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. “Furthermore” introduces the disadvantages rather than adding to the benefits, and “Such as” does not form a complete connection to the preceding sentence. The long sentence beginning “Secondly, browser hijacker…” also combines several details without clear organisation. Use transitions that accurately show the relationship between ideas, and divide explanations into sentences so that each paragraph progresses from a main point to its support.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “tap to pay,” “debit card,” “credit card,” “private data,” and “browser hijacker.” These terms help communicate the subject, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, several choices are informal, imprecise, or incorrectly formed, such as “stuff,” “compensate your shopping bills,” and “positive advantages.” There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “devlopment” and “childrens.” Aim for more precise collocations and a consistent, appropriately formal style. For example, describe paying for purchases or settling bills, and refer to the advantages as benefits. Proofreading spelling and checking how topic-specific words are used will improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “Although” and a relative clause in “people who are new to technology.” The main ideas can usually be understood, but errors in sentence boundaries, agreement, articles, and verb forms occur across the response. For example, the opening joins two independent clauses with a comma, while “this kind of development bring” has a subject–verb agreement error. In “you can just add your card to your mobile and tap,” the construction is awkwardly joined, and “there is always two sides” also has an agreement problem. Practise building accurate sentences with one clear main clause, then add subordinate clauses and check agreement and punctuation.

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