Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
The landscape of transaction has undergone a significant transformation in many countries over the years, which is more convenient and efficient to process. In future, individuals may rely on electronic ways of transaction by using cards or smartphones. It has been endorsed significantly, by the government after the pandemic as it mitigate the physical touch and cater the spread of any infection. While this trend has benefits in favor of citizens but also have concerns of scam, and privacy.
One of the primary reasons why people gravitate towards the modern payment method is the convenience it provides. The ability to shop anytime, anywhere, without the constraints of cash limits and most prominently less chance of losing the change. Whether cashless payments can be made online or in store it always stays in Bank record to keep an eye on budget. This advance method appeals to consumers and sellers to stay safe from infection or any other harmful germs.
Whilst on the other hand some individuals are disappointed with this transactional trend because the sense of dependence of electronic devices. With a few clicks on mobile phones their whole money can be vanished from their bank accounts, if the client is not aware of use especially children or elder people. Not only the scam over usage of phones , misplace or stealing of cards can also be the disaster for any user.
In conclusion, online payment structure has transformed the transaction style by offering unparalleled convenience and efficiency in purchasing from shops. The requirement to carry cash, visit atm before shopping has been decreased , and promptly use of mobile phones has made it easier for buyers to proceed with payment anywhere and any time. The concerns of being scammed, theft or misled cannot be neglected of this this trend.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
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. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the convenience of digital payments is well-explained, the discussion regarding why people might be unhappy is slightly repetitive, focusing heavily on scams and theft without exploring other potential concerns like financial exclusion or the loss of anonymity. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more nuanced arguments and ensure that each point is fully extended with concrete examples or logical consequences.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central theme. There is a progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Whilst on the other hand' or 'promptly use of mobile phones'. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the phrase 'this this trend' in the conclusion. Improving the variety and natural flow of transition words would help the essay move more smoothly between sentences and paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transformation', 'unparalleled', and 'constraints'. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and collocation errors, such as 'cater the spread' (should be 'curb' or 'prevent'), 'money can be vanished' (should be 'can vanish'), and 'proceed with payment' (should be 'make payments'). These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your writing. Expanding your vocabulary to include more idiomatic collocations would enhance your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the government', 'the pandemic'), verb forms ('it mitigate', 'has been decreased'), and prepositions. Some sentences are slightly disjointed due to these errors, such as 'While this trend has benefits in favor of citizens but also have concerns'. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice constructions. Increasing the number of error-free sentences will be key to reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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