Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-01
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 6.0)
In the future, people may no longer be able to pay for things such as groceries, rent and basic essentials in shops using cash. While others believe cash is more convenient for them. All payments may have to be made by card or using phones. In my opinion, i would say yes, because it is very convenient.
On the one hand, people have different cards for example master card, visa card, and it is very difficult to carry all when going different places, it may have risk of loosing cards. So, instead it is more convenient to pay online. It helps to save time, instead of placing the card in the machine and adding passcode. for example. last week i visited a clothing store and i saw a long queue with people who prefer payment through cash.
On the other hand, it is difficult for who have none knowledge about paying online, and do not know the access to smartphones. They may feel embarrased when they are unable to pay using phone.
In conclusion, i want to say that introducing online platforms for payment options are very convenient but we also need to take care of people or introduce some alternative so that they do not feel embarrased.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, but the development is insufficient. The word count is significantly below the 250-word requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While you state your opinion clearly, the reasons provided—such as the difficulty of carrying cards or the challenges faced by those unfamiliar with technology—are under-developed. To improve, you should expand on your points with more detailed examples or logical explanations. For instance, you could discuss the security benefits of digital payments or the specific societal impacts of a cashless economy on elderly populations. The current length prevents a full exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, the transition 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' is used, but the internal flow within paragraphs is sometimes disjointed. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'it is difficult for who have none knowledge', where the grammatical structure disrupts the logical flow. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence connects smoothly to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use basic terms like 'very convenient' and 'very difficult' repeatedly. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'none knowledge' instead of 'no knowledge' or 'lacking knowledge', and 'access to smartphones' which is used slightly inaccurately in context. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary related to finance and technology, and ensure you are using words in their correct collocations to convey your ideas more precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'it may have risk of loosing cards' (should be 'losing'), 'it is difficult for who have none knowledge', and 'introducing online platforms... are very convenient' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentence fragments and misuse of full stops. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed accurately without missing articles or incorrect verb forms.
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