Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-10-21

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 6.5)

save time and effort and provide flexibility

In today’s technologically advanced world, people are more used to do smart work instead of following old ways to make payment for due bills. In many parts of the world, the use of mobile applications has gained significant popularity. In this essay, I will discuss merits and demerits of this.

To commence with, paying through mobile apps save time and effort. Nowadays, every platform provides integration to pay online for the purchases we made. It gives us opportunity to pay from any corner of the world with minimum efforts. For example, A person's electricity bill is due and in order to pay that he need to take any public or private transport to reach specific office then stand in long queue and wait for their turn. However, these mobile apps provide us flexibility to pay from anywhere with the help of basic internet facility. Hence, it is evident that these applications quickly assist to make online bills and payments.

On the other hand, the increasing use of mobile applications has several drawbacks. Online fraud and security risks are one of them. As some applications collect sensitive personal information that may be misused by cybercriminals. To exemplify this, some mobile applications collect sensitive personal and financial information, which cybercriminals may steal and misuse to commit fraud. In addition to this, people become more dependent on technology. Sometime payments may fail because of poor internet connectivity or technical problems. Also, people without smartphones or digital skills may find these services difficult to use.

In conclusion, Although this development raises concerns about online fraud and security, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages because it saves time and offers greater convenience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address the question by discussing both benefits and drawbacks, then state a clear view that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The examples about paying an electricity bill remotely and risks from stolen financial information are relevant and help explain your points. This meets the task well, but the development is uneven: convenience is illustrated in detail, whereas dependence on technology and access difficulties are only briefly mentioned. The opening line, “save time and effort and provide flexibility,” also reads like an unfinished heading rather than part of the response. To strengthen the argument, explain why convenience outweighs the security and access concerns, and extend the less-developed disadvantages with a specific consequence or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion that restates your position. Transitions such as “To commence with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” make the progression easy to follow. However, some linking is mechanical, and the opening fragment is disconnected from the essay. There is also repetition in the security example: the sentence beginning “As some applications collect…” is followed by a second sentence that makes almost the same point. Combine these ideas and use clearer referencing between them. More varied links between claims and explanations would make the cohesion feel more natural and help the argument progress rather than simply list points.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “integration,” “flexibility,” “sensitive personal information,” “cybercriminals,” and “connectivity.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the security-related vocabulary is appropriately specific. Some expressions are less natural or imprecise, however, such as “smart work,” “make online bills,” and “basic internet facility.” “Significant popularity” is understandable but less idiomatic than a phrase such as “widespread use.” Repetition of “mobile applications” and “pay” also limits flexibility. Aim for more precise collocations and vary key terms where appropriate; this would make the language sound more fluent and controlled without sacrificing clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional example and a relative clause: “which cybercriminals may steal and misuse to commit fraud.” Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors are noticeable. For example, “the use of mobile applications has gained” is correct, while “paying through mobile apps save” needs subject–verb agreement (“saves”); “he need” should be “he needs,” and “gives us opportunity” needs an article (“gives us an opportunity”). The long electricity-bill example also shifts awkwardly between a person and “us.” Check agreement, articles, and pronoun consistency, and punctuate the opening “Although” clause with a lowercase conjunction after the comma. More accurate control of these patterns would improve the overall reliability of the writing.

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