Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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 8.0)

In recent years, paying by card or mobile phone has become increasingly common. Some people believe that cash may disappear completely in the future and that all payments will be made digitally. I think this is possible to a large extent, although cash is unlikely to disappear completely in the near future. There are also several reasons why some people may be unhappy about giving up cash.

One reason why cashless payments may become dominant is that they are fast and convenient. People can now pay for food, clothes, transport and many other services simply by tapping a card or phone. In addition, digital payments are easier for businesses because they reduce the need to store and count large amounts of cash. For example, many supermarkets and restaurants already encourage customers to use contactless payment because it makes transactions quicker.

However, some people may not be comfortable with a completely cashless society. Older people, in particular, may find new technology difficult to use. Some may not own smartphones or may not feel confident using banking applications. Another concern is privacy. When people pay digitally, their transactions can be recorded, while cash allows them to make purchases without creating a digital record.

Moreover, technology is not always reliable. If there is a power cut, internet problem, or banking system failure, people may temporarily be unable to make digital payments. In such situations, cash can still be extremely useful. For this reason, completely removing cash could cause difficulties for some members of society.

In conclusion, I believe digital payments will continue to become more popular and may eventually become the main method of payment. However, many people may resist giving up cash because of concerns about technology, privacy and reliability. Therefore, cash is likely to remain useful even in an increasingly digital world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position that while digital payments will likely become dominant, cash will not disappear entirely. You provide relevant reasons for the shift toward digital payments, such as speed and convenience, and offer a balanced discussion on why some people might resist this change, citing privacy concerns, technological barriers for the elderly, and the issue of system reliability. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical explanations, meeting all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the shift to digital, followed by the counter-arguments regarding privacy and reliability, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', 'Moreover', and 'For this reason' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of the argument is smooth throughout the text, making it very easy for the reader to follow your line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the topic, such as 'contactless payment', 'digital record', and 'banking system failure'. The language is natural and precise, allowing you to convey your ideas clearly. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current level is well-suited for the task and shows a good command of topic-specific terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a good variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions like 'although' and 'if'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence throughout the response.

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