Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-24

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In the future, people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash. All payments may have to be made by card or using phones. Do you think this will happen one day? Why do you think some people might not be happy to give up using cash?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.5)

It is highly likely that cash will disappear from stores completely in the future. Digital transactions are rapidly becoming the primary method of payment globally. While this shift offers great convenience, certain groups of people will resist this change due to privacy concerns and technological challenges.

I firmly believe that an entirely cashless society will become reality one day. The main reason is the sheer convenience of digital payments for both consumers and businesses. Paying with mobile phones or cards eliminates the need to carry physical wallets, reducing the risk of theft. Futhermore, businesses can process payments faster and lower their costs by minimizing cash handling. For instance, many modern cafes in major cities already refuse cash payments to streamline their daily operations.

However, some individuals will remain unhappy about abandoning cash completely. First, elderly citizens often find modern smartphone applications and digital banking platforms difficult to navigate. They prefer the tangible security of physical banknotes. Second, privacy is a major concern for many consumers. Every digital transaction leaves a permanent electronic footprint that banks and governments can track. Cash allows people to keep their purchasing habits private and secure from cybercriminals or surveillance.

In conclusion, a completely cashless future is inevitable because digital transactions offer unmatched efficiency. However, resistance will persist among those who value financial privacy or struggle to adapt to new technologies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for resistance. Your position is clear and consistent throughout. However, the response is 25 words under the 250-word minimum requirement. This impacts the development of your ideas, as the arguments could have been further extended with more detailed examples or a deeper exploration of the societal implications. To reach a higher band, ensure you fully expand on your points to meet the length requirement, which allows for a more comprehensive discussion of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'For instance', and 'However', to transition between ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two main points of the prompt. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the central topic of each paragraph is clearly stated. To improve, ensure that the connection between sentences is always explicit to maintain the flow of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the task, such as 'digital transactions', 'tangible security', and 'electronic footprint'. The word choice is generally precise and natural. There is one minor spelling error ('Futhermore'), but this does not impede communication. To achieve a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to show greater flexibility and precision in your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

Your grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is solid. You use modal verbs effectively ('may no longer', 'will remain') to discuss future possibilities. The writing is clear and easy to follow. To reach the highest bands, ensure you consistently use a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional clauses or passive voice, to demonstrate full flexibility.

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