Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-27

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)

Technology has become very advanced to the point that in a couple of years, the only means by which people can pay for products and services will be through bank cards or phones. I strongly believe that we are transitioning to a phase where cash will not be accepted in stores.

I think that the world is evolving and so is the way in which people pay for things in the store. Using a card or phone to pay for items has become very popular and it appears to be efficient for store owners. The "No cash policy" allows stores reduce the issues of theft by both employees and thieves. It also reduces the process of depositing cash to the bank. Their accounting process becomes simpler and efficient.

As much as this policy may be beneficial to store owners, many people disagree with the idea of not using cash at stores. For one, some individuals prefers using cash because they do not trust technology. Phones can be easily hacked and money stolen from an individual. These people would rather keep their money physically than trust the banking system. Also, the older generation is not tech savy and this might become an issue when they need to purchase goods without cash.

I think that at some point, no shopping center will accept cash anymore. There is little to no benefit for businesses to have cash inside their store. Unless there is push back from people in the near future, it will become necessary to pay using a phone or card only.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both whether cash will disappear in the future and the reasons why some individuals might be unhappy to give up using physical money. The student takes a clear position in the introduction and maintains it throughout the essay. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations, such as the benefits to store owners regarding security and accounting, as well as valid concerns about cybersecurity and the technological barriers facing the older generation. Although the arguments could be developed with even greater depth or specific real-world examples to reach higher band levels, all requirements of the task are met well and a clear position is sustained.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It is divided into four logical paragraphs: an introduction, a body paragraph focusing on store owners' perspectives, a body paragraph addressing consumer concerns, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately to connect ideas, such as "For one" and "Also," though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring that each paragraph has a distinct central topic. Overall progression is easy to follow, supporting the clarity of the arguments.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision. Phrases such as "transitioning to a phase," "No cash policy," and "technological barriers" (or implied equivalents) demonstrate an adequate command of topic-specific language. There are some attempts at less common lexical items, but occasional minor inaccuracies occur, such as writing "allows stores reduce" instead of "allows stores to reduce" (a grammar/collocation crossover) and spelling "savvy" as "savy." However, the range is adequate for communication without any significant hindrance to the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing structures like conditional clauses and relative clauses effectively. There are several error-free sentences, showing good control overall. However, a few grammatical inaccuracies persist throughout the text, such as missing an infinitive marker ("allows stores reduce the issues") and minor punctuation or prepositions. These errors are non-systematic and do not impede communication, placing the writing comfortably in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range for grammatical accuracy.

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