In the twenty-first century, people have been provided with a vast array of payment options that have revolutionised the global economy. In many places, mobile phone apps can now be used to make payments quickly and securely. This essay will argue that far more advantages than disadvantages. The ability to pay for goods and services with a mobile app has made life far more convenient in many parts of the world, where this sort of technology has been adopted. In China, for example, people can use Alipay or WeChat in most shops, as well as for online purchases, transport, and even when paying street vendors. It is more convenient than using cash because people do not have to search for the correct change, nor do they need to coins or small notes. Having this phone app allows them to without fumbling about for money in their wallet or purse. In fact, many people no longer take and instead rely upon their phone for all payments. This makes life more convenient and also allows them to track and limit their expenditures easily. Of course, there are some drawbacks. For one thing, people are rightfully worried about government . Particularly in authoritarian surveillance states like China, governments closely watch people to monitor their activity, using algorithms to detect unusual spending patterns. Whilst the seriousness of this cannot be downplayed, it is one of the only major disadvantages of this technological breakthrough, and in future it is possible that a more private system may emerge. At present, there are cryptocurrency wallets that could offer the same basic functions but with more privacy; however, they are not yet as convenient because they are not widely accepted, fluctuate wildly in terms of value, and are comparatively slow in transaction speed. In conclusion, despite there being some valid concerns about privacy, the advent of digital payment methods has been a huge boost for consumers around the world due to the vastly improved level of convenience provided.
Sample response & feedback
Paying for Goods Using Mobile Phone Apps
Question
In many countries, paying for things using mobile phone (cellphone) apps is becoming increasingly common. Does this development have more advantages or more disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Annotated response
11 correction notes
Overall assessment
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response directly answers the question with a clear position and specific support, particularly the examples of mobile payment use in China. Its logical progression and flexible language are strengths. The main opportunity is to explain why the convenience benefits outweigh the privacy concern now, rather than relying partly on the possibility of a more private future system.
IELTS criteria
How each score was decided
TR Task Response
8.0The response directly answers the question with a clear, consistently maintained position, and both the convenience advantages and the privacy drawback are developed with relevant, specific examples and explanation.
CC Coherence and Cohesion
8.0Ideas progress logically from the introduction through convenience and privacy to a conclusion, with effective transitions and generally clear referencing. Single line breaks mark these stages; more distinct paragraph breaks would make the organisation easier to see.
LR Lexical Resource
8.0Vocabulary is flexible and precise, including natural collocations like 'street vendors', 'surveillance states', 'fumbling about for money', and 'fluctuate wildly in terms of value', with only a rare slip such as 'intrusion of their privacy'.
GRA Grammatical Range and Accuracy
8.0A wide range of structures is used with strong control, including relative clauses, concessive clauses and balanced negative constructions. Minor slips include making cryptocurrency wallets, rather than currencies, the subject of “fluctuate wildly in terms of value”.