Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-09

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)

There is no denying facts that the phenomena of paying for things through the cellphones applications is widespread across the globe due to its significance. Although this has some drawbacks but I believe that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In my further paragraphs advantages and disadvantages of this trend will be discussed.

There are many benefits but the first and foremost key benefit is that it is more convenient for people to pay through the mobile apps because sometimes people do not have enough cash to pay for shopping. Another benefit which can influence the people minds is that there is no chance of stolen of cash by thieves and they feel secure having payments in their bank accounts. For example, because of increasing theft ratio in Pakistan, people usually prefer to pay on shops through internet rather than cash.

On its darker side, there are some drawbacks which makes it problematic to pay by mobile phone apps. Firstly, it takes longer time to deliver payment because of internet issues. Moreover, sometimes individuals have to face an issue in running of banking apps. To cite an example, in Asian countries people have to suffer internet problems because of war between Israel and Palestine. Thus, due to these temporary internet issues human are facing difficulties to pay online payments.

In conclusion, neither its pros can be neglected nor its cons. However, it has some temporary drawbacks but I believe that its advantages are in greater number than its cons. As a result, person are more commonly use online banking applications in their mobile phones to pay for shopping.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address the question and state a clear view: “its advantages outweigh the disadvantages.” The response also presents relevant reasons on both sides, including convenience and reduced risk of carrying cash, balanced against internet and banking-app problems. The Pakistan example gives some support to the security point. However, several ideas are asserted rather than fully explained. For instance, the claim that app payments are safer could be developed by explaining how avoiding cash reduces exposure to theft, while the internet-disruption example needs a clearer link to the specific effects on payments. The conclusion repeats your position but adds little synthesis. Develop each main point with a fuller explanation or a more precise example to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion. The reader can follow the progression, and signposts such as “Another benefit,” “On its darker side,” and “In conclusion” help identify the stages of the argument. This organisation is effective, and the paragraphing is appropriate. Some linking is mechanical or repetitive, however, particularly the repeated use of “benefit” and “drawbacks,” and the introduction promises that both sides “will be discussed” rather than previewing the argument naturally. The final sentence also repeats the conclusion’s point. To strengthen cohesion further, use more varied transitions and connect examples directly to the claims they support.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “mobile apps,” “cash,” “thieves,” “internet issues,” and “banking apps.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “outweigh the disadvantages” and “temporary drawbacks.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “the phenomena of … applications,” “stolen of cash,” “in greater number,” and “pay online payments.” These choices sometimes make the reader pause, even though the intended meaning is generally recoverable. Aim for precise, natural combinations such as “the use of mobile payment apps,” “cash being stolen,” and “make online payments.” Vary repeated general terms like “benefit” and “issue” with context-appropriate alternatives.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a concession in “Although this has some drawbacks…” and a reason clause beginning “because sometimes people do not have enough cash.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “Although … but,” the agreement error in “drawbacks which makes it problematic,” and “person are more commonly use,” where the subject and verb form do not fit. Articles and plural forms also need attention, as in “takes longer time” and “human are facing difficulties.” These errors do not usually prevent understanding, but they reduce accuracy and make some sentences awkward. Practise checking subject–verb agreement, verb forms, and article use, while retaining your attempts at complex sentence structures.

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