Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-04
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 5.5)
In contemporary society, Majority of individuals tend to use cards or mobile phones to make their payments rather than paying by cash. As per my prospective, I believe that people may only accept the digital payments in the upcoming years. However, Some individuals may dissatisfied with this trend owing to some reasons. This essay will discuss both sides before reaching a feasible conclusion.
One compelling reason behind this trend is advancement in the technology which promotes more digital payments by businesses and customers. It tracks not only daily transactions but also assists one to analysis money flow and it may leading them to better financial management. For instance, the person who do all payment by using his google pay have track to all entries and able to manage his budget as per his records. In addition, All payments may made digitally in future as it may offer more security and flexibility. People can have 24 hours access to these payment options which is resulting better services. Thus, I have strong belief that in upcoming decades, society will do all payments by using phones or cards.
On contrast, there are still some individuals who might not be satisfied by using digital way of paying. The prominent factor behind that they are habitual of handling money in cash. All their life, they did their business and purchasing by using cash. Therefore, it is difficult to switch into different method.
To conclude, Although some people resist and unhappy to giveup on cash payment, I personally think that in future mojority of people do digital transct
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for resistance. However, the development is uneven. The first body paragraph provides relevant arguments regarding technology and financial management, but the second body paragraph is significantly underdeveloped, offering only a brief explanation for why people might be unhappy. Furthermore, the essay is incomplete, as it ends abruptly mid-sentence in the conclusion. This lack of a full conclusion and the limited depth in the second argument prevent the response from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure all arguments are fully extended with specific examples and complete the essay structure.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Thus', and 'On contrast'. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the abrupt ending of the essay severely impacts the overall coherence, as the final thought is left unfinished. Paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is incomplete, which disrupts the logical flow of the argument. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph concludes with a complete, coherent thought.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. There are several instances of word-choice errors or awkward collocations, such as 'As per my prospective' (should be 'perspective') and 'habitual of handling money' (should be 'accustomed to'). The range is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated vocabulary and the presence of errors in word formation (e.g., 'mojority', 'transct') limit the score. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary and focusing on accurate word forms will help improve this score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'Majority of individuals' (missing article), 'it may leading them' (incorrect verb form), and 'All payments may made' (missing auxiliary verb). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary capitalization of words like 'Some'. While the writer attempts complex structures, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction suggests a lack of control. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct use of modal verbs, and consistent article usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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