Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-31

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 7.0)

The trend of paying with card or online is growing day by day. It is generally believed that cash payments would be replaced with online or card payments at a time. I personally think that one day there will be no cash payment for goods while some people might be disappointed for not using physical currency due to some reasons.

To commence with, there are numerous factors why I believe that the method of paying would change. One of the most prominent reason is that paying online is more convenient since people do not have to carry physical money. Everyone has a smartphone with them, debit and credit cards also can be activated in smartphones. Moreover, carrying cash is not much safe as it is easily prone to robbery; however, cards and online accounts are protected by security pins. Therefore, individuals like to use more easy and safe mode of using money.

On the other hand, some individuals would not be happy with this transformation for several reasons. Firstly, some people feel that saving cash is much easier than online money because they think using cash helps them to avoid extra expenses. When they pay cash, they can feel how much they have spent. As a result, they can prevent from buying unnecessary things. Secondly, some people are not tech-savvy, they do not know how to use mobile phones or cards for payment. If there are no cash payments, they would feel in difficult situation. For example, senior citizens encounter challenges while paying online

In conclusion, although changing mode of payment create some difficulties for some cash lovers, it would not only provide convenience but also ensure safety for others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear opinion on the future of cash and explaining why some individuals might be reluctant to adopt digital payments. Your ideas are relevant, such as the convenience of digital wallets and the psychological benefit of physical cash for budgeting. However, the development of these points is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the 'tech-savvy' argument by discussing the digital divide or the potential for systemic failures in digital infrastructure. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, which is a positive feature.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay follows a logical structure with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'As a result' to guide the reader. While these are effective, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. To improve, ensure that the progression of ideas within paragraphs is smoother by using a wider variety of linking phrases beyond standard signposting words.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transformation', 'prominent', and 'tech-savvy' correctly. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'not much safe' (should be 'not very safe' or 'less secure') and 'prevent from buying' (should be 'prevent themselves from buying' or 'avoid buying'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Focusing on more academic collocations would enhance your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While your meaning is always clear, there are recurring grammatical errors, such as 'at a time' (should be 'at some point'), 'the method of paying would change' (should be 'payment methods'), and 'feel in difficult situation' (should be 'feel they are in a difficult situation'). Punctuation is generally accurate, but some sentence constructions are slightly awkward. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, and try to incorporate more varied complex sentence forms to demonstrate greater control.

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