Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-17

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)

In today's era, the technology has dramastic change because it enhanced a lot. Due to this increase, a lot of applications are developed to make our lives more comfortable example Instagram, facebook even for online shopping. Nowadays, it is seen that buying things online is becoming popular in many cities. I am going to write the advantages as well as disadvantages for this trend in upcoming paragraphs.

The first and foremost advantage is saving a time and cost of travelling because in today's time, every family member is working to fulfill their basic needs as everything is getting expensive. With this trend, they get time to spend with each other as well as some individuals does not have a mode of transportation, they have to pay for their travel. Moreover, buying online they saves time in both ways : firstly,travelling time and secondly, wasting time on shops. Additionally, families get more time to relax as well as spend with their kids instead of going out.

Furthermore, sometimes online there are a lot of deals and discounts going on. In this way, people saves money. For an example, there is survey conducted in Canada by government in 2019 named " Usage of online apps". In this research, they found out that 90% of individuals were living happy life because with this trend they are able to focus on their life as well as spend quality time with their families.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages for this trend because we all know that every coin has two sides. The main disadvantage is sometimes people get scammed with fraud companies as they put their address, phone number and card details. Moreover, in some cases, people found wrong items are delieverd. That's why, some of them think that this is not a best option.

In conclusion, according to me, it totally depends upon individual choice because everyone knows that this trend has both positive and negative effects. Moreover, it depends upon individual's choice how to deal with this development for their daily needs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You discuss both benefits and drawbacks, with relevant points about saving travel time and money, family time, discounts, scams, and incorrect deliveries. However, the question asks whether the development has more advantages or disadvantages, and your conclusion says it “totally depends upon individual choice” rather than clearly weighing the two sides and stating which is greater. Several ideas are also under-developed: for example, the Canada survey is presented as evidence, but its connection to mobile payment apps is unclear, and the claim that 90% were “living happy life” is not explained. To strengthen the response, keep the focus on paying through phone apps, explain how each example supports your view, and give a definite overall judgement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, paragraphs presenting advantages, a paragraph on disadvantages, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “The first and foremost,” “Furthermore,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the main sections. However, some linking is mechanical, and the introduction promises to discuss “advantages as well as disadvantages” without establishing a position. Connections within paragraphs can also be unclear, particularly the shift from online shopping discounts to the survey about happiness. The conclusion repeats that the trend has positive and negative effects but does not bring the discussion together into a clear comparison. Use more precise links between claims and examples, and make each paragraph develop one connected point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “deals and discounts,” “scammed,” “fraud companies,” and “card details.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “fulfill their basic needs” and “quality time.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate, sometimes making the intended meaning less clear: “dramastic change,” “buying things online,” and “a best option” are examples. Spelling errors such as “delieverd” and inconsistent capitalization also affect accuracy. Aim for precise terms that match the prompt: distinguish mobile payment apps from online shopping generally, and use natural collocations when describing convenience, security, and consumer risks.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a reason clause beginning “because” and a sentence using “as well as.” However, control is uneven, and errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “some individuals does not have” should use a plural verb, while “people saves money” also has an agreement error. Articles are problematic in “saving a time” and “not a best option.” The sentence beginning “Moreover, buying online they saves time” has an unclear structure, and punctuation around “firstly” and “secondly” needs attention. Practise building accurate subject–verb patterns and checking articles before adding more complex clauses.

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