IELTS Writing Task 2: Cashless Society - Band 6.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
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The Prompt
Some people believe that a cashless society is inevitable in the future. Others think that cash will always be necessary. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 6.5 Model Answer
The world is moving towards a cashless society, and many people believe that this is an inevitable trend. However, others argue that cash will always be necessary. Both views have their merits, and I will discuss them before giving my opinion.
On the one hand, the advantages of a cashless society are numerous. Firstly, it can make transactions more convenient and efficient. With just a few clicks on a smartphone, people can pay for goods and services without the need for physical cash. This can save time and reduce the hassle of carrying money around. Secondly, a cashless society can help to reduce crime. Theft and fraud can be minimized as there is no physical money to steal. Additionally, digital transactions can be tracked and monitored, making it easier to detect and prevent illegal activities.
However, there are also arguments against a completely cashless society. Some people, especially the elderly or those in rural areas, may not have access to digital payment methods. This could lead to social exclusion and inequality. Moreover, relying too much on technology can be risky. System failures, hacking, and cyber attacks are real threats that could disrupt the economy and cause significant financial losses. Lastly, some people prefer the anonymity and privacy that cash provides. They may feel uncomfortable with all their transactions being recorded and tracked.
In conclusion, while a cashless society has many benefits, it is important to consider the potential drawbacks and ensure that everyone has access to digital payment methods. I believe that a balanced approach, where both cash and digital payments coexist, would be the most practical solution.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): 6.0
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Presents, extends, and supports main trends/arguments but with some limitations
- Provides relevant, clear, and sufficient ideas but with some repetition
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.5
- Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some mechanical or inappropriate usage
- Arranges information and ideas logically but with some unclear progression
- Uses paragraphing, but some paragraphs are too long or too short
Lexical Resource (LR): 6.5
- Uses a mix of appropriate and varied vocabulary
- Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some errors
- Uses collocations with some awareness but also some errors
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Makes frequent errors in grammar and punctuation
- Attempts complex structures but with frequent errors
Key Vocabulary
- Inevitable (adj.) - certain to happen; unavoidable
- Example: The shift towards a cashless society seems inevitable.
- Convenient (adj.) - providing ease and comfort; well-suited for a particular purpose
- Example: Digital payments are more convenient than carrying cash.
- Efficient (adj.) - achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense
- Example: A cashless society can make transactions more efficient.
- Monitor (v.) - observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time
- Example: Digital transactions can be monitored to prevent fraud.
- Exclusion (n.) - the act of excluding or the state of being excluded
- Example: A cashless society could lead to social exclusion.
- Anonymity (n.) - the state of being anonymous
- Example: Some people value the anonymity that cash provides.
- Coexist (v.) - exist at the same time or in the same place
- Example: A balanced approach would allow cash and digital payments to coexist.
- Disrupt (v.) - interrupt the normal progress of something
- Example: System failures can disrupt the economy.
- Hacking (n.) - the activity of gaining unauthorized access to data in a system or computer
- Example: Cyber attacks and hacking are real threats.
- Inequality (n.) - difference in size, degree, or circumstances
- Example: A cashless society could lead to inequality.
- Fraud (n.) - wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain
- Example: Digital payments can help to reduce fraud.
- Track (v.) - observe or monitor the progress of something
- Example: Digital transactions can be tracked to prevent illegal activities.
- Reliable (adj.) - consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted
- Example: Digital payment methods need to be reliable.
- Access (n.) - the right or opportunity to use or benefit from something
- Example: Everyone should have access to digital payment methods.
- Record (v.) - set down in writing or some other permanent form for later reference
- Example: Digital transactions are recorded and tracked.
- Disruptive (adj.) - causing or tending to cause disruption
- Example: System failures can be disruptive.
- Monitored (adj.) - observed and checked regularly
- Example: Digital transactions are monitored to prevent fraud.
- Inevitable (adj.) - certain to happen; unavoidable
- Example: The shift towards a cashless society seems inevitable.
- Efficient (adj.) - achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense
- Example: A cashless society can make transactions more efficient.
- Coexist (v.) - exist at the same time or in the same place
- Example: A balanced approach would allow cash and digital payments to coexist.
Common Mistakes
- Overgeneralizing - Making broad statements without sufficient evidence or examples.
- Repetition - Repeating the same ideas or vocabulary without variation.
- Inadequate Development - Not fully developing ideas with supporting details.
- Grammar Errors - Making frequent errors in grammar and punctuation.
- Lack of Cohesion - Failing to use cohesive devices effectively, leading to unclear progression.
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