Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-02

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)

The rapid advancement of technology may render the traditional method of paying by cash obsolete, replacing it with transactions made through credit cards or mobile devices in the future. This trend has seen an increasing number of individuals exclusively resorting to card -based payments, with some establishments declining cash transactions altogether. It is my belief that this shift may detrimentally impact individuals who prefer cash, as it limits their ability to monitor their financial outflows.

A growing portion of the population has embraced the use of credit cards for them shopping needs, resulting in a decline in the prevalence of physical cash in wallets or homes. Society is undergoing a significant transformation, with the future disappearance of cash becoming increasingly plausible. Notably, both major retailers and smaller convenience stores have begun rejecting cash payments. For instance, some merchants have adopted alternative payment methods such as digital wallets or cryptocurrencies, further solidifying the notion of a cashless future.

Individuals often find it challenging to exercise control over the myriad transactions occurring within them bank accounts. the proliferation of cybercrime has exacerbated this issue, increasing the likelihood of unauthorized access and fraudulent activities going undetected until it is too late. A personal incident serves to elucidate this point; during a transaction using my visa card, an unexpected and unauthorized withdrawal occurred at the final stage, leading to a protracted and arduous process to rectify the situation.

In summary, the evolution of technology has precipitated the diminished prevalence of cash transactions. Consequently, the heightened susceptibility to theft by cybercriminals has left consumers feeling more vulnerable, forsaking the security and familiarity associated with cash transactions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for public resistance. The position is clear throughout. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of cybercrime and the difficulty of monitoring financial outflows. However, the development is somewhat uneven. While the personal anecdote about a visa card issue is a good attempt at support, the explanation of why people might not be happy to give up cash could be more deeply explored beyond just security concerns. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task.

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 points of the prompt. Cohesive devices such as 'notably,' 'for instance,' and 'consequently' are used to link ideas, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, though the link between the second body paragraph and the conclusion could be more seamless. Referencing is generally clear, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and demonstrates a good range, including terms like 'obsolete,' 'proliferation,' 'exacerbated,' and 'protracted.' There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, which is successful. However, there are a few minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'for them shopping needs' (should be 'their') and 'the diminished prevalence of cash transactions' (which is slightly redundant). Despite these minor slips, the range is sufficient to convey precise meanings and the tone is appropriately formal for an IELTS task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over complex grammar, such as the use of participial phrases ('replacing it with transactions...') and conditional-like structures. However, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'within them bank accounts' (should be 'their') and a missing capital letter at the start of the third paragraph. While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader. The majority of the sentences are error-free, reflecting a solid command of grammar.

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