Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-20
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 5.5)
In the upcoming technological era, pupils will use either physical cards or electronic cards. they will no longer use a cash for payment in any kind of store. Meanwhile, some people may not feel really good after using those cards or they do not want to give up on cash. This essay will discuss both points of view in the upcoming paragraphs.
On the one hand, why some individuals are using debit or credit cards. The main reason is they do not know how to preserve cash in one place. However, cards are more portable compared to cash and people can easily put in their pocket. Furthermore, technology is enhancing and companies are introducing new devices, which are really easy to take anywhere. For example, after coming here in Canada I have never use cash because of the debit and credit cards as well as I do not even need those cards everything is provided in my mobile phone. As a result a person do not have to worry about using cash.
On the other hand, some people do not support this notion. Firstly, people have a habbit to save cash in the bank or at their house. In addition, individuals have learned these tricks to save cash from their parents. For instance, my parents have never use cards in thier whole life and they are dependent fully on cash. Therefore, peple who use cash have enhanced skills in counting as well as in accounting.
In conclusion, I believe that both sides of the argument have valid points. Meanwhile, it depends on the situation or a person. therefore, people should use cards as well as cash becuse both of them play an important role in an individuals life.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing whether a cashless society will happen and exploring why some people might not want to give up cash. The position is stated, although the introductory sentence awkwardly introduces "pupils" instead of general society, which slightly distorts the opening premise. Main ideas are present, such as the portability of cards and the sentimental or traditional attachment to cash, but the development remains somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the paragraph on why people prefer cash focuses heavily on parental habits and accounting skills without fully extending the broader socio-economic implications. Overall, it satisfies the basic requirements of task response by covering the prompt adequately, but the depth of idea development places it firmly within the band 6 category.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is divided into four paragraphs with a clear overall arrangement, including a brief introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, cohesive devices are sometimes faulty or mechanical. For example, starting the second body paragraph with "On the one hand, why some individuals are using..." creates a fragmented and grammatically incomplete clause rather than a smooth transition. Similarly, referencing is occasionally imprecise, and the flow between sentences can feel disjointed. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments, but the logical progression within paragraphs requires stronger cohesive links to achieve a higher band level.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, incorporating terms like "technological era," "portable," and "dependent fully on cash." However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as "pupils will use" instead of people, "use a cash" instead of using cash, and "habbit" with a spelling error. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, but inaccurate collocations and word forms prevent clarity at times. While communication is not heavily impeded, the lexical control is characteristic of band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures frequently result in grammatical errors. Examples include incomplete or fragment sentences like "On the one hand, why some individuals are using debit or credit cards," as well as tense inconsistencies such as "after coming here in Canada I have never use cash" and "my parents have never use cards in thier whole life." Punctuation errors, such as missing capitalisation at the beginning of sentences ("they will no longer..." and "As a result a person..."), also occur. These errors are frequent, but the meaning remains largely understandable, fitting the band 5 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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