Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-29

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, digital payment has become increasingly common, and many people prefer to pay by cards and smart phones rathar then using cash. I believe the society is likely to become largely cashless in the future because electronic payments are convenient and efficient. However, some people may be unwilling to give up cash because they are unfamiliar with technology or concerned about privacy and security.

There are several reasons why cash payments may eventually become uncommon. The main reason is the convenience offered by digital payment methods. People can simply tap their card or phone to complete a transaction within seconds, without having to carry notes or coins. In addition, technological advancements have made electronic payments widely available in supermarkets, restaurants and even small local businesses. For example, many people nowadays use digital wallets on their smartphones to pay for groceries or public transport. As these technologies continue to develop, the need to carry physical cash is likely to decrease significantly.

However, not everyone would be happy with a completely cashless society. One major concern is that some elderly people may struggle to use modern payment technology because they are more accustomed to handling cash. If shops stopped accepting it entirely, these individuals could find everyday activities such as buying groceries unnecessarily difficult. Another concern is privacy and security. Unlike cash transactions, electronic payments usually create a digital record, and some people may be uncomfortable with their spending being tracked. Moreover, technical problems, cyberattacks or stolen banking information could temporarily prevent people from accessing their money.

In conclusion, I believe that cash is likely to become far less common as digital payments become faster and more convenient. Nevertheless, some individuals may resist this development because of technological difficulties and concerns about privacy and financial security.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt: the likelihood of a cashless society and the reasons for resistance to this change. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on the elderly and privacy concerns. The essay provides relevant examples, such as the use of digital wallets for public transport, which supports the arguments effectively. The response is balanced, covering both the convenience of digital payments and the valid concerns of those who prefer cash, meeting all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of digital payments and the potential drawbacks is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'For example', 'However', and 'Moreover' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through the argument without any confusion or mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. You demonstrate a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'digital payment methods', 'transaction', 'technological advancements', and 'cyberattacks'. There is a good level of precision in your word choice, which helps convey your ideas clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate and functional, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. There is one minor spelling error ('rathar' instead of 'rather'), but this does not impede communication or detract significantly from the overall quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good command of both simple and complex sentence structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally strong. You use a variety of structures, such as conditional clauses ('If shops stopped accepting it...') and complex noun phrases, which shows flexibility. The grammar is accurate throughout, and there are no significant errors that cause difficulty for the reader. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control, consistent with a strong performance.

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