Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-02
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
In some educational systems, children are required to study one or more foreign languages. In others, foreign language study is not a requirement. What are the potential benefits of foreign language study?
Do you think foreign language study is an important part of education?
Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
Nowadays, most of the people like to study more foreign languages to enhance their knowledge. Some say that many foreign languages are not vital for students. Now I will discuss both sides of the viewpoint in further paragraphs.
To begin with, taking various languages can bring a lot of knowledge into children's lives. As a result, they can become aware of the different languages and can speak with people who are not from their background. For example, while doing studies in school, children get the chance to meet with students from various cultural backgrounds whose way of speaking is totally different from theirs. So in this situation, they can easily talk with them without any kind of hindrance. This approach can lead to good bonding with others.
On the other hand, if students focus on more languages, they may face diverse challenges in their lives. For instance, focusing only on one language gives them confidence to learn easily, and it may reduce the burden on their mind. It not only makes them more knowledgeable but also develops their mental ability to learn something quickly.
In conclusion, having discussed both sides of the ideas, I conclude that both ways are equally important for students.It depends on the folks where they should go or not.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address the benefits of language study and provide a personal opinion, the arguments remain superficial and lack sufficient depth or specific examples. The introduction is somewhat generic, and the conclusion is abrupt, failing to fully synthesize the points discussed. To improve, you need to expand on your arguments with more detailed explanations and concrete evidence. The current length prevents a full exploration of the topic, resulting in an underdeveloped response that does not meet the requirements for higher band scores.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' to signal transitions between ideas. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical, and the links between sentences could be more sophisticated. The referencing is generally clear, but the overall flow is hindered by the brevity of the paragraphs. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph contains a well-developed main idea supported by clear, logical progression.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'a lot of knowledge' and 'good bonding' are functional but lack the precision and sophistication expected at higher levels. You attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary, but there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions. To improve, focus on incorporating more precise synonyms and academic collocations. For example, instead of 'vital', you could use 'indispensable' or 'essential'. Expanding your range will help you express your ideas with greater nuance and clarity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'doing studies' (should be 'studying') and 'burden on their mind' (should be 'mental burden'). Punctuation is mostly correct, though there is a missing space after the period in the final paragraph. The range of structures is somewhat limited, relying heavily on straightforward sentence patterns. To achieve a higher score, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, while ensuring that your control over these structures remains accurate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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