Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21
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 the modern era, with the development of technologies we can predict all the payments could be done by digital banking rather than cash wallet. But, many of the people still use handy cash or those people who are not familiar to technology.We can neglect the use of cash but we can consider the digital banking more useful. This essay will discuss my both opinions in detail along with relevant exa.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the required 250-word minimum, containing only 71 words. Because the essay is incomplete, it fails to address the prompt's requirements for a full discussion and supporting examples. The introduction is present, but the body paragraphs and conclusion are entirely missing. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, and the ideas are severely underdeveloped. To improve, you must ensure you write at least 250 words, allowing enough space to fully explore both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless society and the reasons for public resistance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is too brief to demonstrate a clear logical progression or effective paragraphing. While there is a basic attempt to introduce the topic, the lack of development means there is no overall structure to evaluate. Cohesive devices are minimal, and the transition between the opening statement and the thesis is somewhat abrupt. To achieve a higher score, you need to organize your ideas into distinct paragraphs, each with a clear topic sentence, and use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'on the other hand') to connect your arguments logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, such as the phrase 'digital banking' and 'handy cash'. There is an incomplete word 'exa' at the end of the text, which suggests a lack of proofreading. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to express complex ideas about technology or societal trends. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology and avoid informal phrasing. Expanding your vocabulary will allow you to convey your arguments with greater nuance and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors, such as 'my both opinions' (which should be 'both of my opinions') and 'not familiar to technology' (which should be 'not familiar with technology'). The sentence structure is simplistic, and there is a lack of complex grammatical forms. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in such a short text is noticeable. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence structures and ensuring correct preposition usage. Aim to include a variety of complex sentences to demonstrate better control over English grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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