Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps – IELTS Writing Task 2

Advantage Disadvantage essays, like ‘Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps’, are an integral part of IELTS Writing Task 2. Usually, in this kind of essay, you have to note down the benefits and drawbacks of a particular aspect, like studying abroad, tourism, school systems, etc.

Let’s have a look at the Advantages and Disadvantages essay, Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps from Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 4 Writing Task 2 with three expert-curated sample answers ranging from Band 7 to 9. If you feel you need to practise more essays to master this task, you can check out the IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice Tests.

Question

Outline

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Band 7 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps

Payment apps are getting more and more common in many nations across the world. This essay explains why people’s occasional technical troubles are not as detrimental as they may be given the benefits of this occurrence, which include convenience and safety.

To begin with, people find it more convenient to use bank applications rather than actual cash. For instance, a lot of people no longer carry cash because they might require more than they have on hand. Therefore, they have more freedom to spend the money they need or want when they choose to use paid apps. Additionally, using phone apps is safer. This is because cash or cards can be lost or stolen, but these applications have security built in case they fall into the wrong hands. For example, Apple Pay uses biometric authentication, adding an extra layer of security to transactions, thereby reducing the risk of fraud.

Nevertheless, there is a drawback to making mobile applications your primary mode of payment, which is the lack of internet access. Officers typically advise travelers to bring some cash in case their phones’ batteries die or their mobile data runs out. On such occasions, people would find themselves in a foreign nation without any financial means, which could lead to significant problems and a waste of time.

In conclusion, the benefits of utilising bank applications for payments, such as their practicality and security, far exceed the drawbacks of occasionally experiencing technical issues with internet connections or running out of battery life. These problems can also be resolved by searching for locations with free wifi and portable chargers. (266 words)

Band 7 Vocabulary 

• Detrimental

Meaning: causing harm or damage; having a negative effect

Example: Drinking junk food on a daily basis is detrimental to health.

• Biometric Authentication

Meaning: a security process that relies on unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial features, to verify a person’s identity

Example: Scientists are using multiple levels of biometric authentication to protect the secret code.

• Fraud

Meaning: wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain

Example: Nowadays, people become victims to various kinds of frauds.

• Wrong hands

Meaning: a situation where something falls into the possession or control of someone who should not have it, often with negative consequences

Example: Make sure that this document does not fall into wrong hands.

• Practicality

Meaning: the quality or state of being practical; the degree to which something is useful, feasible, or suitable for a particular purpose

Example: While purchasing something, considering the practicality is very important.

• Portable

Meaning: easily carried or moved, especially because of being relatively small or compact

Example: Mr. Hooda always carries a portable chair with him.

Band 8 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps

The practice of using mobile phone banking to make payments has gained popularity. This strategy has its pros and cons, but in my opinion, the advantages exceed the disadvantages. I’ll go into greater depth about the reasons in the following paragraphs.

First and foremost, convenience is undoubtedly a major benefit of making payments online. As long as there is an Internet connection, it is indisputable that this payment method can be used anytime, anyplace, and with only a few easy taps on the issuers’ smartphones. Put it in another way, it simplifies the payment process, allowing customers and businesses to save time and make purchases more quickly. In addition, the security aspect is responsible for the widespread use of e-transactions. Many mobile apps use advanced security measures, such biometric authentication, and encryption to safeguard users’ financial data and lower the possibility of financial fraud. As a result, a lot of customers think that using an online payment method offers them more security and comfort than using credit or cash.

However, accessibility is a major drawback of cashless payment methods. Recognising that not everyone has access to smartphones or dependable Internet connectivity is crucial, especially in remote or underdeveloped areas. Because of this, relying only on online payment may exclude people who cannot afford to use these technologies, hence widening the socioeconomic divide.

In summary, although using smartphone apps to make payments offers several advantages in terms of security and convenience, there are significant accessibility-related disadvantages associated with this trend. How users, companies, regulators, and technology providers handle the drawbacks and optimize the benefits will determine how effective this strategy is overall. (269 words)

Band 8 Vocabulary 

• Indisputable

Meaning: not open to question or dispute; unquestionable

Example: Mario wants to be the indisputable king among his people.

• e-transaction

Meaning: the process of conducting business or financial transactions electronically, typically over the internet

Example: People are mostly dependent on e-transaction nowadays.

• Encryption

Meaning: process of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access or interception, especially during transmission over a network

Example: Coders will check the encryption on this software.

• Accessibility

Meaning: quality of being easy to access or available for use; the degree to which something is reachable or usable

Example: Accessibility is a problem in the remote areas of the mountain.

• Socioeconomic divide

Meaning: gap or disparity in income, wealth, education, opportunities, and other socioeconomic factors between different groups within a society

Example: One cause of poverty is the socioeconomic divide.

• Optimize

Meaning: make the best or most effective use of something; to improve efficiency or performance

Example: You need to optimize your efforts and preparation to be successful.

Band 9 Sample Answer for Writing Task 2 Question – Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps

Band 9 Vocabulary 

• Impacted

Meaning: influenced or affected in some way

Example: The flood impacted the lives of many people before the dam was built.

• Venturing

Meaning: going somewhere that is potentially dangerous or unfamiliar; undertaking a risky or daring journey or activity

Example: We stopped him from venturing into the cold.

• Audit

Meaning: inspection of financial accounts or records, typically to ensure accuracy, compliance with regulations, or detection of fraud

Example: After the audit, new steps will be taken to control the loss.

• Likelihood

Meaning: chance of something happening; how likely it is for something to occur

Example: There is no likelihood that he will attend the seminar.

• Cybercrime

Meaning: criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet, typically involving theft, fraud, hacking, or other illegal activities

Example: Social media and cybercrime go hand in hand.

• Malfunction

Meaning: failure to function or operate correctly; a defect or breakdown in the proper functioning of a machine, system, or process

Example: Due to the malfunction in the machine, the project was stopped.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Connectors You Can Use in the Sample Answers for ‘Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps’

Connectors or Linking words helps to bring coherence to your writing and increase your chances of scoring a high band. So, check out the list of connectors/linking words used in the sample responses for the IELTS Writing Task 2 – Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps.

• To begin with/First and foremost
• For instance/For example/To exemplify
• Therefore/As a result
• Additionally/ In addition/Moreover
• Nevertheless/However
• In conclusion/In summary/To sum up
•  Put it in another way
• Because of this
• Firstly…Secondly…Finally
• On the other hand

Now that you have gone through the sample answers on the topic – Paying for Things Using Mobile Phone Apps – it is time for you to try writing on your own. For that, leave your answers as a comment below or you can use our FREE evaluation service!

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