Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-15

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)

There is an ongoing debate regarding the future where people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash and all payments may have to be made by card or using phones. This essay will discuss different perspectives before presenting my own opinion.

In this era of digitalization, paperless money is emerging quickly in different aspects of life. Initially, debit or credit cards were introduced but now online transactions can be done through cryto currency like bitcoin also. The world has taken over these methods quickly as they are convenient, time saving and hassle free. Another major advantage is the use of credit cards, which allows to purchase even when you do not have suffiecient money and pay for it later to the bank. People find it very comforting to purchase items from their phones or cards while they do not have to carry any cash. Paperless money also reduces waste like eliminating physical paper and printing costs.

On the other hand, a lot of individuals have become insecure due to a number of issues with this sort of transactions like cyber-crime and hacking. Firstly, the scams involving e-wallets or online bank transactions like just a pin-code or personal information shared with fraud caller can hack your account and leave it with zero balance. Secondly, you are device and power reliant in terms of online payments. Moreover, it can also result in over-spending and hidden charges. Although many people are doing digital payments, using cash is still in demand as many think it is safe, reliable and keeps your privacy with no digital trace.

In conclusion, although there are valid arguments on both sides, I believe that payments through cards and phones are becoming more smooth and convenient if we use them with caution. Therefore, with changing times we must progress with technology and its advancements.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The essay 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 advantages of digital payments are well-supported, the discussion on why people might be unhappy to give up cash could be more deeply explored. For instance, the mention of 'privacy' is a strong point but is only briefly touched upon at the end of the second body paragraph. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explained with concrete examples or logical consequences rather than just listing them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages from the disadvantages. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. However, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph could be smoother. Additionally, some referencing is slightly mechanical, but the overall progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task. You have used some topic-specific terms like 'digitalization', 'online transactions', 'cyber-crime', and 'e-wallets'. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'cryto' instead of 'crypto' and 'suffiecient' instead of 'sufficient'. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'The world has taken over these methods'. Improving your control over collocations and ensuring accurate spelling would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical slips, such as 'allows to purchase' (should be 'allows you to purchase') and 'you are device and power reliant' (which is awkward phrasing). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor errors in sentence construction that occasionally distract the reader. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. While the errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score.

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