Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-05

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 6.5)

In the modern world, many people face challenges when living in a foreign country because of language barriers. Limited language proficiency affects them both socially and practically. I completely agree that communication skills are essential for social interaction and securing employment.

One major social issue is social isolation. If people are unable to communicate easily with native speakers, they may feel isolated and disconnected from society. In addition, a lack of confidence can affect them both mentally and emotionally, leading to homesickness, emotional stress, and even discrimination. For instance, a Pakistani student studying in Germany may struggle to communicate with classmates, making it difficult to build meaningful friendships and integrate into the local community.

Apart from social challenges, there are also many practical problems. Many international students find it difficult to secure employment, communicate with doctors, or understand public transportation systems. Moreover, newcomers often require proper guidance because they are unfamiliar with the local environment and administrative procedures. Furthermore, limited language skills can make people more vulnerable during emergencies, especially when seeking medical assistance.

In my opinion, people planning to live abroad should learn the local language before moving. Attending language courses can help them overcome language barriers, communicate effectively, and adapt to a new culture. They should also interact with local residents to improve their language proficiency, increase their confidence, and develop a stronger sense of belonging.

To summaries', although living in a foreign country presents both social and practical challenges, these difficulties can be reduced through language learning and cultural adaptation. In addition, governments and educational institutions should provide language training programmes for newcomers to help them integrate more successfully into society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position of agreement in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The essay is well-structured, with distinct paragraphs covering social and practical challenges, followed by a clear conclusion. The ideas are relevant and supported by examples, such as the Pakistani student in Germany. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be slightly more nuanced; for instance, exploring the counter-argument or the long-term benefits of language acquisition would add more depth to the discussion. Overall, the response is focused and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between social and practical issues is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'Apart from', 'Moreover', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and offers a constructive suggestion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through the argument without confusion. The use of referencing is accurate and helps maintain the cohesion of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is appropriate for the task and demonstrates a good range. Phrases such as 'language proficiency', 'social isolation', 'administrative procedures', and 'vulnerable during emergencies' show a strong command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would characterize a band 8 or 9 response. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The language is precise and conveys the intended meaning clearly throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with most sentences being error-free. There is a minor punctuation error in the conclusion ('To summaries',') which is a slip rather than a systematic error. The use of conditional structures ('If people are unable...') and modal verbs ('should learn', 'can help') is handled well. The control over punctuation and sentence construction is consistent, and the few minor errors do not interfere with the reader's understanding. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a solid grasp of English grammar.

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

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