Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

In todays world, Money plays crucial role in everyone's life to full fill their basic needs of life. So, In the future, as denizen's mostly like to pay digitally instead of cash. All the payments will be pay by card or using phones. Yes, I think that it will be happen one day. I think few dweller's might not be happy to give up using cash .

So, we discuss both the points by giving relevant reason and instances from my own experience of my life.

On the one hand, as technology is increasing day by day so people mostly like to transfer their money by using their phones as it is the easiest way to transfer money they not have to go anywhere to send money. Moreover, using of ATM cards and mobile banking is most popular way in these days as well in future may more new technologies may be invented to transfer money and all the system will be digitalized as companies bring more ideas to be digital world For instance, People nowadays using Google pay, Apple pay and pay pal to transfer their money as it easy method and have statements in their phones as a proof or record no wastage of time.

On the other hand, some dweller's are not take keen interest to use digital or card method because they want to use cash as it is old school method to pay money for shopping and for other expenses as they do not accept digital method because some people have to give more tax through card payments . However, as older people mostly like to give cash payments because they do not k now how to using mobile phones and cards so they think pay with money is best option for them.

To be conclude, Both the ways are better for payment as digital method is grown more and more these days because itis easiest method but Make payment with cash also a better way to feel free from phones and card as it is also helps when their is no network areas to pay so it is the best option to pay and amy not be disappears in future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for resistance. However, the development is somewhat superficial. While you mention digital convenience and the reluctance of older generations, the arguments lack depth and specific, well-explained examples. For instance, the point about 'tax through card payments' is vague and not fully explored. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is supported by a clear, logical explanation rather than just stating the idea. The position is clear, but the overall development remains at a basic level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use some cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Moreover'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly inaccurate, such as the awkward transition 'So, we discuss both the points'. Additionally, there are issues with referencing; for example, the phrase 'both the ways' is used to refer to payment methods, but the connection between sentences is occasionally disjointed. Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and sophistication. You rely on repetitive phrasing, such as 'transfer their money' and 'pay money'. There are also some noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'denizen's' (used incorrectly to mean people/citizens) and 'dweller's' (used incorrectly to mean people). The use of 'digitalized' and 'old school' is acceptable but informal. To improve, focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and avoid misusing words that you are not fully confident with.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. You frequently make errors with articles ('the easiest way'), subject-verb agreement ('people mostly like'), and punctuation (incorrect use of apostrophes in plurals like 'dweller's' and 'denizen's'). Some sentences are grammatically fragmented or awkward, such as 'All the payments will be pay by card'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to lower the score. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for common grammatical slips would be beneficial.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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