Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25
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 coming years, Individuals making purchases with cash payment may become obsolete. This is because of the advancement of Internet banking and older people will find it difficult operating mobile device.
On one hand, cash payment will have a higher chance of being eradicated because of the advancement of technological banking. As technologies keep taking over hospitals, stations and every work sector, banks will begin to see the need to use this technologies in introducing features that would help make payments easier and faster for their customers. Also busy work schedules have made individuals no longer have the time to que at the banks to receive their money. Additionally these technologies have been introduced to specifically cater to the needs of people with special needs and also individuals with various impairments. For example, blind people are able to give instructions to their phones to make payments on their behalf using the speech to text features.
On the other hand, older people will find it difficult operating mobile devices. This is because the introduction and usage of this technologies were not in vogue during their generation. Hence they will find it frustrating giving up their cash to make use of card payments or transfers. For example it would be difficult to see an wlasueksnbjek j
In conclusion, in the future cash payments may no longer be accepted because of the current trend of technological improvements and the possibility of the older generations finding it tasking to adapt to these changes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both parts of the prompt, but the development is uneven. While the first body paragraph provides a clear argument for the shift toward digital payments, the second body paragraph is significantly underdeveloped and ends abruptly with a nonsensical string of characters ('wlasueksnbjek j'). This incomplete sentence prevents the essay from fully exploring the reasons why some people might be unhappy to give up cash. The position is clear, but the lack of completion in the second argument limits the overall task response score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay uses basic cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Additionally' to signal transitions. However, the logical flow is disrupted by the incomplete final sentence of the second paragraph. Paragraphing is present, but the abrupt ending makes the overall structure feel unfinished. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a complete thought at the end of the second paragraph negatively impacts the coherence of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at topic-specific language like 'obsolete', 'eradicated', and 'in vogue'. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'operating mobile device' (should be 'operating mobile devices') and 'see the need to use this technologies' (should be 'these technologies'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('this technologies') and missing articles. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the incomplete sentence at the end of the second paragraph is a major error that impedes communication. While the writer attempts complex structures, the frequency of errors and the unfinished nature of the text prevent a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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