Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In today's world, many individuals hold diverse opinion on a wide range of topics. Many people opine that all payments may have to be done by using cards and cash payment will be no longer whereas other believe that they will persue to use cash. In my opinion, it is important to critically analyse both sides of argument before forming a well- definite opinion.

To begin with, there are several benefits of digital payment. Firstly, it is easier to carry cards than cash. Hence, people do not need to bring wallets as it is available in mobile application. Secondly, individuals can pay quickly and easily. This is especially convenient in busy places such as public transport or supermarket. Additionally, many countries are moving towards cashless society. For example, in china it is very common for shops to use mobile payments. As a result, these system is become a regular part of the daily life.

However, it is true that not everyone agrees with this idea. One major concern is security. Digital payment can be targeted by hackers and many people may worry about their personal or financial information being stolen. Another reason is that mainly elder people are not familiar with online payment. They may feel uncomfortable or stress when using mobile payment systems. Therefore, if cash disappears completely, these people could face serious inconvenience.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding cash payment and digital payment is multifaceted with valid argument on both sides. While supporters emphasize the benefits, opponent arise important consideration. In my opinion, although digital payments are becoming popular due to their convenience, but cash will still be necessary for many people. For this reason, it is unlikely that cash will disappear completely.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, including the prediction about the future of cash and the reasons why some people might resist this change. The position is clear throughout the essay. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the point about elderly people is relevant but could be expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis. The introduction is a bit generic and could be more focused on the specific topic. Overall, the response is well-structured and relevant, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.5, which rounds to 6.0 or 7.0 depending on the depth of development. Given the slightly superficial nature of the arguments, a 6.5 is appropriate.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Additionally', and 'However' are used to guide the reader. While the progression is generally clear, some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Referencing is mostly accurate, though there are minor issues with pronoun usage (e.g., 'these system' instead of 'these systems'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The overall structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task. The student uses some topic-specific terms like 'digital payment', 'cashless society', and 'financial information'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'well-definite opinion' (should be 'well-defined') and 'opponent arise important consideration' (should be 'opponents raise important considerations'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but there is a lack of more sophisticated or precise vocabulary that would elevate the score to a higher band. Spelling is generally accurate, but the phrasing is sometimes slightly unnatural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While many sentences are clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('these system is become', 'many individuals hold diverse opinion') and incorrect word forms ('elder people' instead of 'elderly people'). Punctuation is generally correct, but there are some awkward phrasings that slightly impede the flow. The control of complex structures is inconsistent, with some errors in tense and pluralization. Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, which is characteristic of a Band 6 performance.

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