Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27
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)
Technology has a far reach. Many people are accustomed to making payments using online banking, credit cards, mobile apps, smartwatches, and UPI. Others still prefer to make a payment using cash. In my opinion, it has been clearly seen that digital payments will eradicate traditional payment methods in the future. The essay will present certain reasons with suitable examples and explanations.
The principal reason is the availability of smartphones and internet data at low cost across the globe. To elaborate, many companies in the world sell their phones at trivial prices that everyone can afford easily. Simultaneously, mobile data is getting cheaper and cheaper day by day. This not only increases the customer base for mobile and internet data users but also elevates online payments. For instance, Reliance Jio, a famous telecom company in India, has provided internet data to customers at a bare minimum price that leads to a digital revolution in India and has resulted in a 70% increase in UPI and online payments.
Nevertheless, some people still believe in cash payments due to the fear of hackers and cyberattacks. To commence with, cybercrime is a pressing issue in the world. More and more hackers try to steal personal and digital data of people while making online payments. Despite increasing cybercrimes, people have not given up making online payments using phones and cards. Orthodox people who have a fear of accepting the latest technology still believe in cash payments because it gives them a sense of belonging.
From my perspective, digital payment is the need of the hour. We have to accept the technological and digital revolution because it is rapid and convenient. With some rules and regulations, the government can control cyber hacking and can make it safer and more secure.
To conclude, online payments will replace the conventional method of payment in the near future because it has more merits than demerits. Some safety issues can be fixed with a little attention from ruling bodies to foster digital payments.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear opinion on the future of digital payments and explaining why some individuals remain hesitant. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the mention of Reliance Jio in India. However, the development of the second body paragraph is slightly uneven; while the fear of cybercrime is a valid point, the explanation regarding 'orthodox people' and 'sense of belonging' is somewhat vague and could have been more clearly linked to the psychological comfort of physical currency. Overall, the position is consistent throughout the essay, and the task requirements are well-met.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two main aspects of the prompt. Cohesive devices such as 'To elaborate', 'Nevertheless', and 'To conclude' are used to guide the reader through the argument. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the second paragraph could be more precise. However, the progression of ideas is clear, and the overall structure supports the argument effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'eradicate traditional payment methods', 'pressing issue', and 'need of the hour' show a good command of language. There are occasional minor inaccuracies in collocation or word choice, such as 'trivial prices' (which is slightly unnatural in this context) and 'ruling bodies' (which is a bit formal/unusual for 'government'). Despite these minor slips, the vocabulary is varied enough to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over grammar, and most sentences are error-free. For instance, the use of conditional-like structures and complex noun phrases shows a decent range. There are occasional minor errors, such as 'elevates online payments' (which should be 'promotes' or 'increases the adoption of') and 'the fear of hackers and cyberattacks' (where the article usage is slightly redundant). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication, and the punctuation is generally accurate throughout.
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