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IELTS Task 2 advantages and disadvantages essay: Credit cards and debt

A Task 2 advantages and disadvantages question. Weigh both sides, then answer the question as it is asked: whether one side outweighs the other, or whether the development is positive or negative.

3 students’ essays below, each marked by Axiom, from band 6.5 to 7.0. Updated on 29 October 2026.

The question

In many countries, it is very easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, this causes some people to have problems with debts they cannot pay back. Do you think the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

Students’ essays on this question, marked by Axiom

Across these 3 essays the average band is 6.7: Task Response 7.0, Coherence and Cohesion 6.3, Lexical Resource 7.0, Grammatical Range and Accuracy 7.0. Coherence and Cohesion was the weakest criterion.

Real answers, shared without their writers’ names, newest first. Each opens with its revisions marked in place. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

  • Overall band, an AI estimate: 6.5

    Essay #3

    Task response 7.0, coherence 6.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0

    The issue of using credit cards has been extensively debated in the last decade. While there certainly exist valid arguments to the contrary, I am convinced that the…

    Task 2, 275 words, 29 October 2026

  • Overall band, an AI estimate: 7.0

    Essay #2

    Task response 7.0, coherence 7.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0

    In recent years, it has become increasingly easy for people to be provided with credit cards. While this can have several financial benefits, I believe the long-term…

    Task 2, 340 words, 18 September 2026

  • Overall band, an AI estimate: 6.5

    Essay #1

    Task response 7.0, coherence 6.0, vocabulary 7.0, grammar 7.0

    In recent years, it has become increasingly more common for individuals to borrow money from banks in most notions. However, people are not unable to pay back because of…

    Task 2, 256 words, 18 September 2026

Questions on the same theme, then questions of the same type, each with students’ essays marked by Axiom.

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