Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-24

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 6.5)

In this digital world, individuals dependence on technology is increasing day by day and they use electronic gadgets in their daily routines such as laptop, computer, mobile phone and so on. Therefore, many people believe that all payments can be done by electric methods rather than cash and people will use card or phone for the payments. I believe that cashless payments will become more common in the future, however, some people may oppose this change due to the several reasons which will be discussed in the upcoming paragraphs.

To begin with, it is easy to understand why people like cashless methods. Firstly, it is easy and more comfortable way of payment which saves mutlitudes time which they can invest in other important work. Moreover, people have less risk of losing physical money and they do not need to count cash or wait for change. Technological advancement have made online banking and mobile payment applications more accessible than ever before. For instance, in Canada people can pay their grocery bill by card or phone and during travelling they can also use it. Lastly, people can track their spending electronically which helps people to manage their budgets.

However, not everyone will be happy to give up using cash. One major reason is that, some people, particularly elderly people, they may find digital technology difficult to use and they are more comfortable with cash as compared with tecnology. Sometimes people are affraid from hackers because scammers can get their personal information which they can use for tracking their daily transactions. Internet connection is also biggest issue when internet services is not working properly people cannot complete their transactions. For example, if people live in remote area and internet connection is very week in that case people cannot purchase anything by electronic methods. Lastly, some people believe that they can control their spending if they are using cash.

In the final analysis, no doubt cashless transaction will be increased but cash may not disappear entirely. I believe that both payment methods should remain available.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address both parts of the question: you predict that cashless payments will become more common, and explain why some people may resist giving up cash. Your position is clear in the introduction and conclusion, especially in the view that cash may not disappear entirely and both methods should remain available. The reasons are relevant and supported with examples, including older people’s difficulty with technology, concerns about hackers, unreliable internet in remote areas, and the convenience of paying by card in Canada. To strengthen the response further, develop the prediction about whether cash will eventually disappear more explicitly; most of the first body paragraph explains the advantages of cashless payment rather than directly establishing why it will become the only method. Some points, such as spending control, could also be explained in more detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph on the advantages of cashless payments, a paragraph on reasons to retain cash, and a concise conclusion. Ideas progress logically, and signposting such as “To begin with,” “However,” and “In the final analysis” helps readers follow the argument. Examples are generally placed alongside the points they support. At times, however, the linking feels formulaic because several points are introduced with “Firstly,” “Moreover,” and “Lastly.” Some references are also unclear or repetitive, as in “some people, particularly elderly people, they may find,” where the subject is repeated. Use a wider range of transitions and connect related reasons more smoothly to make the progression feel less list-like.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “cashless methods,” “technological advancement,” “mobile payment applications,” “scammers,” and “transactions.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the response includes some relevant topic-specific language. However, several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors reduce precision: “electric methods” is not the natural term for electronic payments, “mutlitudes time” is unclear, and “week” should be “weak” when describing an internet connection. Other awkward expressions include “affraid from hackers” and “the upcoming paragraphs.” Aim for more natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary for security, accessibility, and payment systems would also help you express the ideas with greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “because,” “when,” and “which.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the argument is not obstructed by grammatical errors. Some errors in agreement, articles, sentence construction, and punctuation are present, however. For example, “Technological advancement have made” should use a singular verb, while “Internet connection is also biggest issue” needs an article. In “some people, particularly elderly people, they may find,” the subject is duplicated; the sentence beginning “Sometimes people are…” also needs a clearer grammatical structure. Review agreement and article use, and punctuate longer sentences carefully. Greater control of these patterns would make your varied sentence structures more accurate.

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