Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-05

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 5.0)

The future may lead us to use the bank cards and our phones in payments without using cash any more.

In my perspective this might be happen in next years, and the following paragraphs will elaborate this view.

People prefer to do not carry cash with them because it is more freely, that mean you do not need to carry heavy handbag or a wallet in your pocket so no worries about where you will keep it while you do your sport. It is enough to have your phone or bank card only.

Additionally, it is more secure because of its small size so it is not recognizable as the cash, for instance it is avoid the burglar to steal your money.

Farthermore, the new generation like technology and we witness the evolution of the modern knowledge, therefore may be in the future we do not need to carry cash money any more just visa card or using the application on your phone or sometimes your smart watch.

In the second hand in my opinion some people might not be happy with this new features such as old people who is not involved in the technology and used to deal with cash.

In conclusion, I think the payments in the future are going to be only by visa cards or smart phones although some people do not like this way, but the world develop its tools and we should be up to date with technology.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons why some people might be reluctant to adopt it. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding security is underdeveloped, and the explanation for why older generations might struggle is brief. Furthermore, the response falls short of the 250-word minimum requirement (245 words), which necessitates a penalty in this criterion. To improve, you should expand on your points with more detailed examples or explanations to ensure the response is fully developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt at logical progression. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'In the second hand' (which should be 'On the other hand'). The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between ideas is more fluid and logical.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There are some awkward phrasings, such as 'it is more freely' instead of 'more convenient' and 'modern knowledge' instead of 'technological advancement'. Some word choices are repetitive or imprecise, such as 'deal with cash'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated or idiomatic language limits the score. You should aim to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to finance, technology, and societal change to demonstrate a broader lexical range.

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 clarity. Examples include 'this might be happen' (should be 'this might happen'), 'do not carry cash... because it is more freely' (incorrect adjective usage), and 'old people who is not involved' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is also inconsistent in places. While the meaning is usually understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct verb forms will significantly improve your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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