Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-21
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 5.0)
The statement about "people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash" seems to be as expected in future as it is the most convenient way. The worry to carry cash and maintain it everytime everywhere you go is something irrelevant.Sometimes all we want is a easy and simple life.I think it will happen one day as nost people finds card or phone payments relevant more than carrying cash everywhere. This would be a most convinent way of paying for whatever and wherever you want. It makes easy as we don't need to carry a large amount of a cash , although if someone carried certain amount of cash,in a while if cash gets finished and further if he urges to buy or needs cash it will be a problem for him, But if he has an card or phone he can make more payments. On other hand people might not be happy to give up using cash may have certain reasons.the reasons would be insecurity or some people may assume that online payments doesn't makes you feel like higher amount compared to cash also the fear of tracking bank statements would be reasons for not to be happy to give up cash.But in the end the card and phone payments would play an important role in the future paymets.I would share my experience that before using cards or phone payments i would carry cash.The feared in my mind remains that whenever i took my phone out of pocket my cash would be coming along it and this way i lost my most of the money. Also whenever i want to go anywhere i just took my phone and go, that makes me a stress free that if i have an need i could do with my phone no need to carry cash always.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing whether a cashless society will happen and why some people might be unhappy about giving up cash. The student presents a clear position that digital payments will likely become dominant due to convenience, and touches upon reasons for reluctance such as security concerns and psychological factors with spending. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive, with over-generalised explanations. For example, the mention of online payments not making users feel like they are spending a 'higher amount' compared to physical cash is a relevant point, but it lacks sufficient extension or concrete examples. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing it firmly at a Band 6.0 level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay demonstrates an overall coherent arrangement, but the paragraphing and use of cohesive devices show noticeable weaknesses. The text is essentially split into two very long blocks rather than well-defined paragraphs, which makes navigation difficult for the reader. Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'Also' and 'whenever'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in sentences like 'the reasons would be insecurity or some people may assume that online payments doesn't makes you feel like higher amount compared to cash also the fear of tracking bank statements would be reasons for not to be happy to give up cash,' which runs multiple clauses together without adequate structural breaks. Progression is present, but cohesion is faulty, corresponding to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully communicating everyday concepts. Words and phrases like 'convenient,' 'security,' and 'bank statements' are deployed appropriately. However, there are frequent lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'nost people finds card or phone payments relevant more than carrying cash' where 'relevant' is misused for 'preferable,' or 'maintaining it everytime' instead of 'managing it.' Additionally, spelling and word formation errors, such as 'convinent' and 'an card,' detract from the overall quality. Because the vocabulary is sufficient for communication despite errors, it fits the Band 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response shows an attempt at a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but grammatical control is weak. There are frequent errors in verb agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, such as 'online payments doesn't makes you feel' and 'if he has an card.' Run-on sentences are prevalent, as the student frequently links independent clauses with commas or conjunctions improperly, creating heavy, difficult-to-parse structures like 'This would be a most convinent way of paying for whatever and wherever you want. It makes easy as we don't need to carry a large amount of a cash , although if someone carried certain amount of cash...' These persistent errors and lack of punctuation control cap the grammar score at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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