Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-26

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 8.5)

In the future, it is possible that cash will disappear completely and all payments will be made through cards or mobile phones. While this change already seems to be happening in many countries, I believe it is likely that digital payments will dominate one day. However, some people may not be comfortable giving up cash entirely for several reasons.

One major reason digital payments may replace cash is convenience. Paying by card or phone is faster, safer, and easier to track. For example, many shops now encourage contactless payments because they reduce waiting time and help prevent theft. In addition, online shopping has become a normal part of daily life, and it relies completely on digital transactions. As technology continues to improve, it is reasonable to expect that cash will become less necessary.

Despite these advantages, some people still prefer using cash. Firstly, not everyone is comfortable with technology. Elderly people, for instance, may find digital payments confusing or unreliable. They feel more secure when they can physically hold their money. Secondly, cash offers privacy. When people pay with notes and coins, their purchases cannot be easily tracked. Some individuals worry that digital payments allow companies or governments to monitor their spending habits. Finally, technical problems such as phone battery failure or network issues can make digital payments impossible, leaving people unable to buy essential items.

In conclusion, although digital payments are becoming more common and may eventually replace cash, many people are reluctant to give it up due to concerns about privacy, reliability, and technological barriers. Cash still provides a sense of security that digital methods cannot fully replace.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position that digital payments will likely dominate, and you provide well-developed reasons for why some people remain reluctant to abandon cash, such as privacy concerns, technological barriers, and reliability issues. Each paragraph is logically structured and supports the main argument with relevant examples, such as the mention of elderly individuals and the risk of technical failures. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is balanced and directly answers the prompt without any irrelevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of digital payments and the reasons for preferring cash is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition,' 'Despite these advantages,' 'Firstly,' and 'Finally,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two main body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the overall structure is logical, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'digital transactions,' 'spending habits,' and 'technological barriers' are used accurately and appropriately. While the vocabulary is generally natural and fits the context well, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items related to the topic of finance and technology. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and your vocabulary is more than adequate to convey your ideas clearly and effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'While this change already seems to be happening in many countries, I believe it is likely that digital payments will dominate one day.' The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is generally error-free. There are no major grammatical slips that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced conditional forms, but the current level of accuracy is very high and consistent throughout the text.

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