Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-12
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)
Nowadays, our technological skills increased compared to past. Most of the people don't .like to carry cash everyone using their debit and credit card instead of cash, also in coming days people will use virtual card for purchase Yes,. I believe that it will come on one day.
On one hand, people are prefer cashless way than the payment done using cash. The main reason is that individuals are like to live in the technological basis. In this generation people think that card is easy and very favourable to carry and keep. Moreover, no need worry about somebody will steal the cash or it will feel somewhere while traveling. For instance, making everything through online there is benefit such as reduce the bacteria spreading as cash is pass with different types of people and place it will easy spread diseases.
On the other hand, people how leave in the past like old people does not know how to use this type type new facilities as like using digital platforms. The old method is more helpful to them. For example, if they use cash they can comsume the time as they spent so many t
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, as it is only 194 words long. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address both parts of the prompt—the future of cashless payments and reasons for resistance—the ideas are underdeveloped and the conclusion is missing entirely. The text ends abruptly mid-sentence, which prevents a full exploration of the topic. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more detailed examples and ensure you provide a clear, complete structure including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow is hindered by the incomplete nature of the text. You use some cohesive devices like 'On one hand' and 'Moreover,' but the transitions between sentences are often mechanical or awkward. The lack of a concluding paragraph means the essay lacks a sense of closure. Additionally, some sentences are fragmented or grammatically unclear, which disrupts the logical progression of your argument. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence will help improve the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You rely on simple, repetitive phrasing such as 'technological skills' and 'new facilities.' There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'technological basis' and 'comsume the time.' To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more sophisticated vocabulary and collocations related to finance and technology, and ensure that words are used in their correct context to express your ideas more accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('Most of the people don't .like'), article usage, and sentence structure ('people how leave in the past'). The punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary periods and commas. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often faulty. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and correct verb tenses. Proofreading for common errors like missing articles or incorrect prepositions will also help increase your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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