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 today's technology-based economy, it is often argued that people are no longer able to pay for goods through physical money, because most payments are preferred by using digital cards or phone apps. Using digital money could potentially reduces the crime and ilegal activities. Some individuals are not comfortable with digital money because of inconvenience caused by electricity and mobile network. I also believe that, it is not possible to completely avoid using paper money.

To begin with, the use of digital money could increase security and eliminate practices like theft and illegal money, whereas risks like data breaches and phone hacks are still involved. Keeping money digitally could give individuals a sense of relief from house invasions and the public thefts, because they barely have any expensive and valuable items at home. Additionally, digital money could wipe out black money, because online transactions are often traceable. The trackable illegal cash money could be verified and not only stops corruption but also increases tax revenue of the authorities. Likewise, this increased revenue could be spend on enhancemet of public policies and infrastructure. Nevertheless, online banking applications are vulnerable to cyberattacks, as hacker could hack any device through a link or a phone call and could have unauthorized access to a victim's bank account.

On the other side, it is not possible to completely eliminate physical currency, because of inadequate electricity and mobile network in the rural areas. Online transactions are usually done with the help of the internet and a lack of network could cause them inconveniences, as they are not able to use their own money when necessary. Similarly, all the payment machines work with the electricity. Consequently, online payments are mostly accepted and preferred in big cities.

To sum up, there are multiple benefits of using digital payment methods, but we have to be aware of the potential hazards associated with it. However, I believe it is not appropriate to fully digitalize money, until the problems such as electricity and internet were completely solved and established in the rural areas. These are the reasons why some individuals still prefer to use cash.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons for resistance. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are generally well-developed. For instance, you effectively link the benefits of digital payments to crime reduction and tax revenue, while providing a practical counter-argument regarding infrastructure limitations in rural areas. To reach a higher band, ensure that all points are fully explored; for example, the discussion on 'black money' is strong, but the section on 'phone hacks' could be expanded to better illustrate why this specifically causes public anxiety. Overall, the response is relevant and stays focused on the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, such as the benefits of digital money or the challenges of infrastructure. You use cohesive devices like 'To begin with,' 'Additionally,' and 'On the other side' to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as the use of 'they' in the third paragraph, which lacks a clear antecedent. Improving the flow between sentences would enhance the overall coherence, but the progression of ideas remains clear and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'cyberattacks,' 'unauthorized access,' and 'infrastructure.' There are some instances of slightly unnatural word choices, such as 'illegal money' instead of 'illicit funds' or 'black money,' and 'enhancemet' (spelling error). While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, some collocations are imprecise. To improve, focus on using more precise academic terminology and ensure that spelling is accurate. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you successfully use complex sentences to explain cause and effect, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'could potentially reduces' (subject-verb agreement), 'could be spend' (passive voice error), and 'hacker could hack' (article usage). Additionally, there are minor punctuation issues, such as the unnecessary comma after 'believe that'. These errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of error-free complex structures and proofreading for basic agreement and tense consistency will help improve your score.

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