Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-07
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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for resistance. However, the development is limited. The arguments regarding convenience and security are somewhat superficial and lack depth. Furthermore, the response is under the 250-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. To improve, you should expand on your points with more detailed examples or logical explanations. For instance, when discussing why people might be unhappy, you could elaborate on issues like privacy concerns, the digital divide, or the risk of technical failures, rather than just mentioning 'old people'.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, 'In the second hand' is an incorrect collocation for 'On the other hand'. Transitions like 'Additionally' and 'Furthermore' are used, but the flow between sentences is sometimes disjointed due to grammatical errors. The paragraphing is present but the internal logic within paragraphs could be strengthened by using more varied linking words and ensuring that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed idea.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic phrasing, such as 'do not carry cash' and 'new generation like technology'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'it is more freely' (should be 'more convenient') and 'the world develop its tools'. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use more sophisticated vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to the topic of finance and technology, such as 'digital transactions', 'financial inclusion', or 'technological infrastructure'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'this might be happen' (should be 'this might happen'), 'it is avoid the burglar' (should be 'it prevents burglars'), and 'old people who is not involved' (should be 'who are not involved'). Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like pluralization and verb tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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