Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-23

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 6.0)

In the future, people will not use cash as the mode of payment. Credit cards, debit card or even cell phones will be used instead to pay for each an everything. As per my observation during my day to day shopping transactions, I often use apple pay as my main mode of payment. I also believe this transition is already in force. And this essay will discuss about how things are shifting to cashless transactions and how this will impact people's lives.

On the one hand, use of credit cards had become widely popular and efficient in the world. It has safety features as well. So that, nobody will be able to steal from anyone as it is very secured. Which is totally opposite with physical money, to give an example, using a card to pay anywhere is very well accounted in the application of your mobile. where cash is not accounted. Cash is liquid and very hard to track. It can be lost, robbed or damaged.

On the other hand, cash gives more tangible feeling as compare to cards and mobile apps. For instance, when you purchase something using cash, you will be able to feel the money is going out of your pocket. That is why people use to save more money in the past as compare to today.

In my opinion, I think many individuals had already shifted to modern way to pay their bills, which is more convenient and quick way to pay. Some people who still use cash might not be happy if we gave up cash completely. But I don't think this will ever gonna happen.

All in all, Both cash and cards are useful in their own ways. Mobile apps and cards are more secure and convenient but cash has more physical aspect and presence.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless future and the reasons why some people might be reluctant to abandon cash. However, the development is somewhat superficial. While you mention security and convenience, the arguments lack depth and specific examples. For instance, you mention that cash is 'hard to track' and 'can be lost', but you could have expanded on the socio-economic implications or the digital divide to better support your position. The conclusion is slightly contradictory, as you state you don't think a fully cashless society will happen, which slightly undermines your earlier assertion that the transition is already in force.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'All in all' to signal transitions. However, some linking is mechanical or slightly awkward, such as starting sentences with 'And' or 'So that'. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of cohesive devices to connect ideas more fluidly rather than relying on simple sentence-by-sentence progression.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'transactions', 'tangible', and 'convenient'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, 'pay for each an everything' is informal and grammatically incorrect, and 'physical aspect and presence' is slightly redundant. There is also a reliance on basic vocabulary. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Examples include 'use of credit cards had become' (should be 'has become'), 'Which is totally opposite with physical money' (fragmented sentence), and 'people use to save' (should be 'used to save'). Additionally, 'gonna' is too informal for an IELTS essay. These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

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

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