Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-09
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)
In recent years, technology has been advanced and convenient. People are having suitable and comfortable lives without any problems. Therefore, nowadays people no longer use cash to pay for shopping. In my opinion, both the points of view are important in their own ways.
First of all, everyone has their own phones and digital cards with them so that they are getting an easier way to shop and pay the bills. Likewise, they do not need to search the banks for a withdrawal or deposit of the money. For instance, I need to buy a bag for school without a second. I can pay for the items closing eyes thinking about cash.
Secondly, adult people might not be happy to give up cash because they are familiar with technology and the system of networks. Therefore, we need to teach them to withdraw and deposit the money so that they do not need to carry cash for the shopping. We need to help them to be advanced in the modern era.
In conclusion, I think that online systems and technology have to be the way to purchase the items without thinking a second of payment. Cash is the important the way of value, but in the future modern technology will have its own way of using in their terms.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address both parts of the prompt—the future of cash and reasons for resistance—the arguments are underdeveloped. For instance, the explanation regarding why people might not be happy to give up cash is vague and lacks specific examples or depth. The position is stated, but the supporting points are brief and lack the necessary expansion required for a higher band. To improve, you must provide more detailed explanations and concrete examples to fully explore the implications of a cashless society.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'In conclusion'). Some transitions feel forced, and the logical progression between sentences is occasionally weak, particularly in the second paragraph where the link between digital payments and the example of buying a bag is not clearly articulated. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally from the previous one will help improve the overall coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. You rely on basic terms like 'suitable', 'comfortable', and 'advanced'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'closing eyes thinking about cash' and 'the important the way of value', which hinder clarity. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to finance and technology, such as 'digital transactions', 'financial inclusion', or 'technological literacy', and ensure that your word choices are contextually appropriate.
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 communication. Examples include 'technology has been advanced', 'everyone has their own phones... so that they are getting an easier way', and 'the way of using in their terms'. Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence construction often lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. You should focus on mastering subject-verb agreement, correct tense usage, and refining complex sentence structures to ensure your writing is both accurate and varied.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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