Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-07

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)

Living abroad often requires people to communicate in a language that is different from their mother tongue. While I agree that this situation can create both social and practical difficulties, I believe these challenges can usually be overcome with time and effort.

One of the main problems is the difficulty of social integration. People who are unable to speak the local language fluently may find it hard to make friends and build relationships with local residents. As a result, they may feel isolated and excluded from society. For example, international students who lack language skills often struggle to participate in social activities or communicate effectively with their classmates. This can lead to loneliness and a reduced sense of belonging.

In addition to social issues, practical problems can also arise. Everyday tasks such as shopping, visiting a doctor, opening a bank account, or dealing with government offices become more complicated when a person cannot communicate clearly. Misunderstandings may occur, causing inconvenience and stress. Furthermore, language barriers can limit employment opportunities because many employers require workers to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers.

However, these difficulties are not always severe or permanent. Many countries offer language courses and support services for immigrants and international students. Modern technology, including translation applications and online learning platforms, also makes communication easier than ever before. With regular practice and exposure to the language, most people gradually improve their skills and adapt successfully to their new environment.

In conclusion, I agree that living in a country where a foreign language is spoken can create significant social and practical challenges. Nevertheless, these problems are generally temporary and can be overcome through learning, support, and determination.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction, acknowledging the validity of the statement while providing a counter-argument regarding the temporary nature of these challenges. Each paragraph is well-developed with relevant examples, such as international students struggling with social integration and the practical difficulties of navigating government offices. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. To reach a Band 9, you could further deepen the analysis by briefly discussing the psychological impact of these challenges or the long-term benefits of overcoming them, but the current development is already very strong and meets the requirements for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with social issues, moving to practical problems, and then offering a counter-perspective. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition to', 'For example', 'Furthermore', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The flow between sentences is smooth, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage. The structure is coherent and supports the development of your argument throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'social integration', 'language barriers', 'effectively communicate', and 'adapt successfully' are used correctly and naturally. You avoid repetition and show an awareness of collocation, such as 'reduced sense of belonging' and 'significant social and practical challenges'. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, such as 'linguistic hurdles' or 'social alienation', to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

Your control of grammar is excellent. You use a variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('People who are unable to speak... may find it hard') and participial phrases ('including translation applications...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The range of structures is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately. To reach the highest band, you could aim for even greater variety in sentence length and complexity, perhaps by experimenting with more advanced inversion or passive constructions, but your current level of accuracy is very high.

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