IELTS Writing Task 2 - Positive or Negative Development (Cashless Payments)
This essay type asks whether a change is positive or negative. Plan both sides, decide which is stronger, and keep the same opinion from the introduction to the conclusion.
Key points
The example question from the video
In many cities, a growing number of shops, restaurants and transport services no longer accept cash, and customers must pay by card or phone. Is this a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Band 9 model answer from the video (267 words)
Today, it is becoming common for businesses in many places to refuse notes and coins and to take only card or mobile payments. In my opinion, this is largely a positive development, because it makes daily life faster and safer, although it can cause problems for some people.
On the positive side, paying without cash has two clear benefits. The first is speed. Tapping a card or a phone takes only a second, so queues in supermarkets and on public transport move much more quickly. For example, a commuter can pay for a bus ticket without searching for coins or waiting for change. The second benefit is safety. When shops keep little or no money on the premises, they are less likely to be robbed, and customers do not need to carry large amounts of cash that could be lost.
Nevertheless, this change also has a negative side. The most serious drawback is that certain groups are left out. Many elderly people are not comfortable with banking apps, so a shop that refuses cash can make an ordinary task like buying bread feel stressful. Another concern is privacy. Every digital payment is recorded, which means that banks and technology companies can build a detailed picture of how a person lives. Even so, these problems can be reduced with simple training and clear rules on data.
In conclusion, I believe that the move away from cash is mostly a positive development, because it saves time and reduces crime. Although it can be hard for older people and it raises privacy concerns, the advantages are greater than the disadvantages.
Chapters in this video (12)
Useful vocabulary
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| on the positive side | useful for the positive side | On the positive side, paying without cash has two clear benefits. |
| the first is | useful for the positive side | The first is speed. |
| the second benefit is | useful for the positive side | The second benefit is safety. |
| nevertheless | useful for the negative side | Nevertheless, this change also has a negative side. |
| the most serious drawback is | useful for the negative side | The most serious drawback is that certain groups are left out. |
| another concern is | useful for the negative side | Another concern is privacy. |
| this is largely a positive development | useful to give your view | In my opinion, this is largely a positive development, because it makes daily life faster and safer, although it can cause problems for some people. |
| or | useful to give your view | Today, it is becoming common for businesses in many places to refuse notes and coins and to take only card or mobile payments. |
Practice task: Self-service checkouts
In many supermarkets, cashiers are being replaced by self-service checkouts, where customers scan and pay for their shopping themselves. Is this a positive or negative development? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.
Plan both sides first: list the good points and the bad points.
Decide which side is stronger, and give that view in the introduction.
Write about the change (replacing cashiers), not about supermarkets in general.
Show model answer (try first!)
These days, many supermarkets are removing staffed tills and asking shoppers to scan and pay for their items themselves. In my opinion, this is mainly a positive development, because it saves time for customers and money for shops, although it can be difficult for some people and reduces jobs.
On the positive side, self-service checkouts have two clear benefits. The first is speed. A supermarket can fit several machines in the space of one staffed till, so queues become much shorter. For example, a shopper buying only a sandwich at lunchtime can pay in under a minute instead of waiting behind people with full trolleys. The second benefit is lower costs. Because shops need fewer cashiers, they can keep their prices lower or open for longer hours.
Nevertheless, this change also has a negative side. The most serious drawback is the loss of jobs. Working at a till is often a first job for students or a flexible job for parents, and these positions are disappearing. Another concern is that the machines can be hard to use. Older customers may struggle when an item does not scan, and they have to wait for a member of staff to help. Even so, these problems can be reduced if shops keep at least one staffed till and move cashiers into other roles.
In conclusion, I believe that self-service checkouts are mostly a positive development, because they make shopping quicker and cheaper. Although they reduce jobs and can confuse some customers, the benefits are greater than the drawbacks.
255 words
This practice task and its model answer were written for the website. The video teaches the method with its own example (cashless payments), shown above.
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