Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-22

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)

In contemporary world people may stop using cash to purchase goods and services, card or mobile phone will be used to do transaction. I strongly disagree with the statement that cash will be replaced by digital payments due to the lack of satisfaction of cash in hand, passion of collecting cash and save the tax.

One of the main reasons why cash is not 100% replaceable is the lack of physical touch in digital payments. Additionally, some people love to touch, feel the cash and they feel more satisfied in life when they spend the physical money to buy goods and services. For example: a study by an Oxford University says that people who use mobile apps and cards to avail services do not feel enough satisfied because in their sub-conscious mindset they just tapped. Therefore, it is an integral part of people's life , it is not going to vanish, leading to nurture their passion for cash.

Furthermore, citizens always try not to pay taxes in hefty amount to governments. Everyone puts their efforts to save their hard earned money in either way, rather than paying to authorities they deal in cash. For instance, Numerous restaurants across the world give 10-20% discount to their guests for paying in hand. Business Owners then never pay taxes on that cash amount. Thus, locals always find loopholes in the system to use cash. All this contributes to choose cash for various purposes.

In conclusion, although there are various methods to spend money, still people are choosing cash. It generates the feeling of inner satisfaction and also fulfill the purpose of saving money from paying taxes. Hence, it has alternatives but it will stay as an important part of people's life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses the task by discussing reasons why cash may not be completely replaced by digital payments. The writer provides valid examples, such as emotional satisfaction and tax avoidance strategies, which strengthens their argument. However, the viewpoint could be further refined with more structured examples or statistical evidence. Overall, the response meets the basic requirements but lacks depth in exploring the implications of the topic. Overall, it suggests a Band 6.5 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The organization of ideas shows some coherence, with clear paragraphs for distinct points. However, transitions between ideas could be improved for better flow; for example, the shift from physical satisfaction to tax avoidance could be made clearer. The conclusion summarizes the main points, but it feels somewhat abrupt and could be more directly linked back to the initial question. This aspect suggests a Band 6.5 for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sometimes repetitive and lacks precision (e.g., 'cash', 'digital payments'). While some phrases are fitting, they occasionally sound awkward, such as "the lack of satisfaction of cash in hand." More varied and context-appropriate vocabulary would enhance the piece. The examples given are relevant but could be substantiated with more specific terms. This criterion aligns with a Band 6.0 for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

Grammatical structures are mostly correct, but there are noticeable errors impacting clarity, such as in the sentence "leading to nurture their passion for cash" which is awkward and unclear. There are also instances of incorrect pluralization (e.g., "many restaurants across the world give 10-20% discount" should be "discounts"). These mistakes suggest the writer is at a Band 6.0 level for Grammatical Range and Accuracy due to inconsistency and some inaccuracies in complex sentences.

Overall feedback

Your essay presents clear arguments about the continued relevance of cash in society, which is a strong starting point. Enhancing the depth of your examples would strengthen your argument significantly, such as integrating more statistical data or real-world instances. Additionally, focus on improving coherence by using clear transition phrases between paragraphs and making your conclusion more impactful. Finally, diversify your vocabulary to avoid repetition and enhance precision, as this would improve both clarity and engagement for the reader. Overall, aim to create smoother transitions and bolster your argument with concrete examples.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.