Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Learning a foreign language can actually be fun and interesting. It enhances your vocabulary and makes it easier for you to travel different countries. However, it has its downsides and restrictions aswell. This essay will shed light on the advantages and limitations on living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language.

To begin with, lots of individuals travel from one country to another for a better life or job, inorder to do so, they need to adapt or learn the language and should be able to understand their vocabulary, culture and tradition. Moreover, learning a new language might be challenging and tricky, but it helps you in realising what to do and what not to. Furthermore, it encourages individuals to understand their rights as different countries have variety of new rules.

On the other hand, learning a new language can cause serious problems, if you are not completely fluent. It may make it difficult for you understand the other person and might cause confusion between individuals. Other than that, if you do not do well in learning the language, it may make it worse in helping you out in knowing your rights and rules of the new country. Lastly, it might also cause practical problems, if you do not understand what the other person is saying and reply back with someting awful unintentionally.

In conclusion, living in a country and learning a foreign language can be exciting however, every individual should make sure, to atleast learn enough to know the limitations and proper vocabulary for a smooth conversation with the natives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both the potential benefits and difficulties of living where a foreign language is needed, and your examples of confusion, understanding rights, and communicating with local people are relevant. However, the task asks how far you agree or disagree with the claim about serious social and practical problems. Your introduction promises a discussion of “advantages and limitations,” and the conclusion recommends learning enough language, but neither states a clear degree of agreement. Several points also remain general: for example, the discussion of rights does not explain a specific practical consequence. State your position directly and develop each main reason with a concrete example or explanation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphs are generally focused, and signposts such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the structure. However, the progression within the first body paragraph is not always clear: adapting to a language, understanding culture, and learning rules are listed without showing how each supports the main point. Some linking phrases also feel mechanical, particularly the repeated “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” and “Other than that.” Use clearer links between cause and consequence, and make references such as “it” more precise so the reader can readily identify the idea being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “fluent,” “confusion,” “limitations,” and “practical problems,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited by repeated general words such as “learning,” “language,” and “problems,” while several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural. For instance, “understand their vocabulary” does not clearly express understanding a language, and “reply back with someting awful” is informal and imprecise. Spelling and word-form issues such as “aswell,” “inorder,” and “someting” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise terms for social isolation, misunderstandings, and everyday tasks, and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including conditional forms such as “if you are not completely fluent” and clauses introduced by “as” and “however.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “it difficult for you understand” is missing “to” before “understand,” and “every individual should make sure, to…” has incorrect punctuation and an unnecessary comma. The opening sentence of the second paragraph also joins two independent ideas with a comma. Work on accurate clause boundaries, infinitive patterns, and punctuation around linking words. More consistently controlled complex sentences would strengthen the response.

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