Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some people experience problems when they are not able to pay their debt back. In your opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some people experience problems when they are not able to pay their debt back. In your opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

Nowadays easy to apply for credit card advantages outweigh disadvantages when people experience problems paying debt back - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In your opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 ยท 260 words.

In recent years, the widespread use of credit cards has become a controversial issue that affects many aspects of modern society. Some people argue that getting a credit card is highly beneficial, while others strongly believe that it causes more harm than good. This essay will carefully examine both advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a credit card before reaching a balanced conclusion.

One of the most significant advantages of getting a credit card is that it makes payments more convenient and secure. With a credit card, people can pay for goods and services almost anywhere, both online and in physical stores. For example, many entrepreneurs use credit cards to purchase equipment or manage short-term business expenses. As a direct result, businesses can operate more efficiently and manage their cash flow more effectively. This can contribute to business growth.

However, despite these benefits, obtaining a credit card is not without its drawbacks, most notably the risk of serious financial problems, which cannot be overlooked. If people are unable to repay their debts, this may lead to severe financial stress and even mental health problems. For instance, in my country and many others, some people have taken out loans that they were unable to repay, leading to severe financial and emotional stress. As a result, they may experience serious financial hardship and emotional distress.

In conclusion, obtaining a credit card provides more benefits, provided that users can repay your debt on time. I would strongly recommend that people avoid obtaining a credit card unless they are confident they can repay the debt.

Examiner feedback

The essay successfully addresses the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards and maintaining a clear position. It demonstrates a good command of vocabulary and grammar, achieving a solid Band 7 level across all criteria.

Task Response - 7

Addresses all parts of the task with a clear position. Presents relevant main ideas about convenience and financial risks. Supporting ideas are clear, though some generalization occurs.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

Logically organizes information and ideas with clear progression throughout. Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately such as 'For example' and 'However'. Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph.

Lexical Resource - 7

Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision. Uses less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation. Minor pronoun inconsistency in the conclusion.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

Uses a variety of complex structures with frequent error-free sentences. Maintains good control of grammar and punctuation overall. Contains a minor pronoun shift near the end.

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