Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-17
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)
In this modern world, a vast majority of people are dependent on their mobile phones for making all the transactions. So, in the future, individuals may no longer be able to buy things by using cash. I completely agree with this statement.
Firstly, with the advent of technology, mostly people prefer to use their cards or mobile phones for buying anything because it is very convenient for everyone. Instead of taking cash or physical cards, people prefer to add all the cards in their mobile phones because by this way there is no risk to lost cash and it is easy to use also. To cite an example, in Canada, there are lots of restaurants and stores that do not except cash payments. Besides that, if individuals are visiting any another country then they do not need to worry about how they can change their currency because nowadays, everywhere people are using advance payment machines. So, if they are paying by a card or mobile phones then these payment machines can automatically convert their money into different currency.
On the hand hand, some people are completely dependent on cash payments because they are not able to use modern technology. Despite of globalization, there is considerable number of people that might be not able to make online payments. Most of the old people they prefer to use a cash everywhere.
In conclusion, even though mobile phone payments are convenient and time
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
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 essay is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence in the conclusion. This failure to finish the final paragraph significantly impacts the development of the argument. While the position is clear, the under-length (240 words) and the lack of a finished conclusion mean that the task is not fully addressed. To improve, ensure you complete your thoughts and provide a full summary of your main points to meet the minimum word count and provide a sense of closure.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Besides that', and 'On the other hand' to organize ideas. However, the logical progression is hindered by the abrupt ending. Paragraphing is attempted, but the final paragraph is truncated, which disrupts the overall flow. Referencing is generally clear, though some transitions feel mechanical. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph is fully developed and logically connected to the next, leading to a complete and coherent conclusion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. There are some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'except cash payments' (should be 'accept') and 'risk to lost cash' (should be 'risk of losing cash'). The range is sufficient to communicate the main ideas, but it does not demonstrate the flexibility or precision required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to finance and technology, and pay closer attention to word forms and common collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'mostly people' (should be 'most people'), 'visiting any another country' (should be 'another country'), and 'there is considerable number' (should be 'there is a considerable number'). Additionally, the phrase 'On the hand hand' contains a repetition error. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall quality. Focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles to improve accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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