Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

There is no gainsaying the fact that living in a foreign country usually requires people to speak the local language. If they cannot communicate well, they may face both social and practical problems. Therefore, I completely agree with this statement.

Firstly, people who do not know the local language often struggle to communicate with others. As a result, they may find it difficult to make friends or take part in social activities. This can make them feel lonely and isolated. In addition, they may face practical problems in everyday life, such as asking for directions, visiting a doctor, or dealing with government offices. These situations become stressful when people cannot express themselves clearly.

Another important problem is finding a job. In most countries, employers expect workers to communicate effectively with customers and colleagues. If someone cannot speak the local language, they may not be able to get even a part-time job. For example, an international student who wants to work while studying may lose job opportunities because of the language barrier.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that not being able to speak the local language can create serious social and practical difficulties. Learning the language helps people communicate confidently, build relationships, and improve their chances of finding employment in a foreign country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both social and practical problems, and the position is clear throughout. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement (212 words). This lack of length prevents the full development of ideas, as the arguments remain somewhat superficial. While the points regarding social isolation and employment are relevant, they lack the depth and detailed examples required for a higher band. To improve, you must expand your supporting arguments with more specific evidence or personal anecdotes to meet the word count and demonstrate a more thorough exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. However, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited, and the transitions are quite standard. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the relationship between ideas is more sophisticated, rather than relying on simple sequential markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows the message to be conveyed clearly. You use some appropriate topic-specific terms like 'language barrier' and 'communicate effectively'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on common, everyday language. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic expressions that would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language. To improve, focus on integrating more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to the themes of migration, social integration, and professional development.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If they cannot communicate well, they may face...') and relative clauses. The grammar is generally accurate, and there are very few errors that impede communication. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat restricted. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more complex subordinating conjunctions, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already demonstrated.

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

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