Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-08

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)

Since the technology is evolving, the way we pay for things is changing too. We used to use cash to pay for things but with the continuous development of technology its getting change too. Some people might face some initial huddle to adopt this change, which will discuss in further paragraphs.

The foremost argument is that, we all are living in a technology driven-world so many companies are coming launching a new ways of payments. People will not need to carry a cash, they just need to keep a couple of cards with them which will help them to pay and even more some people using their phones to pay for it so it's much easier option than carrying cash. For instance, a Indian company called "Bharat Pay" introduced a new payment method call UPI where you just need to scan a QR code and your transaction will be done with in a minute. This is as smooth as butter.

On the other hand, some people might not be happy to give up using cash. If their income comes in cash, giving it up could cause them real difficulty. For example, India has a country where majority of workers get paid in cash. Elder people might also get stuck with this advanced technology. They don't know how to use these advanced phones. Moreover, they might not have bank accounts too. To cite an example, elder people are still using that Keypad phones.

To conclude, it's apparent that payment method will definitely change along with the technology; some people might face this change as they don't know how to use phones or don't have accounts in bank.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both parts of the question and make your position clear: you expect payment methods to change, while identifying reasons some people may resist. The examples of UPI payments, workers receiving cash, and older people using keypad phones are relevant and help explain your points. However, the prediction that cash will “definitely” disappear is asserted rather than fully supported, and the discussion focuses more on convenience than on why cashless payments may become universal. The concerns about cash-paid workers and older people are useful, but could be developed further by explaining practical consequences, such as difficulty accessing digital services or managing money. More balanced explanation of both the likelihood and the barriers would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting the move to digital payments, a paragraph on objections, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “On the other hand” and “To conclude” make the direction of the argument easy to follow. Within paragraphs, however, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The opening says “which will discuss in further paragraphs,” but does not clearly preview the two sides. In the first body paragraph, the shift from cards to phone payments and then to the UPI example could be linked more explicitly. The conclusion repeats the main points without drawing them together. Use clearer references and transitions to show how each example supports the claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “continuous development of technology,” “payment method,” “income,” and “bank accounts,” and the reader can generally understand your meaning. There are also attempts at more expressive language, such as “smooth as butter,” though this is informal and less suitable for an IELTS essay. Several inaccurate or unnatural choices reduce precision: “initial huddle” appears to mean “initial hurdle,” “a new ways of payments” is awkward, and “advanced technology” is repeated. Some phrases, including “a technology driven-world” and “with in a minute,” also need more natural forms. Aim for precise collocations such as “adopt digital payments” and vary repeated topic vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “If their income comes in cash, giving it up could cause them real difficulty.” This helps communicate your main ideas, but some grammatical errors remain and occasionally make sentences awkward. For example, “its getting change too” needs a correct verb form, while “which will discuss in further paragraphs” is missing a suitable passive construction. Articles and agreement are also inconsistent in phrases such as “a Indian company” and “majority of workers get paid.” The final sentence, “some people might face this change,” does not express the intended meaning clearly. Review verb forms, articles, and sentence construction, then proofread for punctuation and apostrophes.

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