Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-21

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 6.5)

In the contemporary world, learning a foreign language has become really common in many education systems. While some schools require students to learn another language, others argue that learning multiple languages is unnecessary. Learning a foreign language offers many benefits, and I believe it is an important part of education.

To start with, it improves communication. Students who know a foreign language can communicate with people from different countries. This can be beneficial for traveling, studying abroad, and working for an international company. For example, a student who knows English can talk in many countries and have better opportunities for study and work purposes.

Additionally, learning new languages can help students to understand different cultures. Culture and language are connected, so students can learn about various traditions, lifestyles, and ways of thinking. Secondly, this can make young people more open-minded and respectful towards other cultures. For instance, a student who wants to learn French may also become attract towrds french culture.

However, in my opinion, learning a foreign language should be an important part of education. It helps to improve our communication and provides better career opportunities. It may also develop children's useful skills such as problem-solving, memory, and concentration. Although it may not be easy to learn a new language, it requires ample practice. It will be more useful for the future than the challenges.

In conclusion, a foreign language can improve communication, increase employment opportunities, and cultural understanding. Therefore, I believe that foreign language learning should be included in the school education system.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing the potential benefits of learning a foreign language, such as improving communication and understanding cultures, and clearly states the writer's opinion that it is an important part of education. The position is clear throughout the essay. The ideas are extended and supported, particularly in the body paragraphs where examples like traveling, international companies, and learning French are provided. Although some arguments could be slightly more deeply developed to reach the highest band, the task is fully satisfied. The writer successfully covers the two required prompts regarding benefits and personal opinion. Overall, this performance aligns well with Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response presents a clear overall progression with a logical layout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: introduction, benefits of communication, cultural benefits, personal opinion, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately to signal transitions, such as 'To start with', 'Additionally', and 'In conclusion'. However, some of the linking is slightly mechanical or repetitive, and referencing could be smoother, as seen in the transition into the fourth paragraph starting with 'However, in my opinion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately throughout the text. These features place the essay solidly in Band 6.5 to 7.0, and considering the clear logical organisation, a band score of 6.5 is appropriate.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'contemporary world', 'international company', 'open-minded', and 'problem-solving'. There are some attempts at less common lexical items, though they occasionally feature minor inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, such as 'become attract towrds french culture' instead of 'become attracted towards French culture'. Spelling and word choice errors are present ('towrds') but they do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient to allow flexibility and precision, matching the criteria for Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating a reasonable command of grammar. The writer successfully uses conditional and modal structures, such as 'Students who know a foreign language can communicate...' and 'learning a foreign language should be an important part of education.' There are some minor grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'It will be more useful for the future than the challenges', which slightly reduces the clarity of the point. Punctuation is generally controlled, and errors do not impede overall communication. This mix of accurate structures and occasional errors corresponds to a Band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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