Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

It is often thought that cash will eventually disappear, with people relying entirely on bank cards and mobile phones to make payments. Although the use of cash is declining rapidly in many countries, I believe it is likely that most payments will become digital in the future. However if the cash is completely eliminated may become considerable opposition.

There are several reasons why a cashless society is like to grow. Firstly, digital payments are considerably more convenient than carrying physical money. People can pay for goods within seconds by tapping cards or using phones, which is particularly useful for online shopping and public transportation. Secondly, electronic transactions are easier for businesses to record and manage, reducing the costs associated with handling, counting and securely storing cash.

Nevertheless, some people would not be comfortable in giving up on cash altogether. One major concern is that not everyone has equal access to digital payment methods. Elderly people, individuals who are less familiar with technology, and those without reliable banking services may find cash much easier to use. In addition, cash provides a greater sense of privacy because purchases do not automatically create a digital record. Some people therefore be uncomfortable with banks or companies being able to track their spending habits.

Another important issue is technological failure. If a card machine stops working, a mobile phone loses its battery, or a payment network experiences an outrage, customers may be unable to purchase to purchase essential items. Cash, in contrast can be use without electricity, internet access or a functioning device.

In conclusion, I believe a predominantly cashless society is very likely in the future because digital payments are convenient, efficient and increasing widely. Nevertheless, cash should remain available as an alternative for people who value privacy, lack digital access, or need a reliable payment method during technological disruptions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position on the future of cash and explaining the reasons for potential resistance. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, such as the mention of privacy concerns and technological failures. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of the 'why' behind the resistance could be slightly more nuanced, but the current level of detail is sufficient for a strong response. The conclusion effectively synthesises the main points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Nevertheless', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, though the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph could be slightly more refined. Overall, the structure is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the topic. The student uses relevant terms like 'digital payments', 'technological disruptions', and 'predominantly cashless society'. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'outrage' instead of 'outage' and 'increasing widely' instead of 'increasingly widespread'. However, these do not impede communication. The range is adequate to convey complex ideas clearly, and the student demonstrates an ability to use topic-specific terminology effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'if the cash is completely eliminated may become considerable opposition' (missing subject/verb structure) and 'some people therefore be uncomfortable' (missing auxiliary verb). However, the majority of sentences are error-free, and the errors do not cause confusion. The use of complex structures like conditional sentences and relative clauses shows a good level of control, justifying a solid band score.

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

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