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 in a foreign country without mastering its native tongue presents undeniable challenges. While some argue this scenario triggers severe social and practical crises, I believe that while practical difficulties are immediate, serious social alienation is not an inevitable outcome.

Practically, language barriers create immediate, significant hurdles. Daily survival requires clear communication for essential tasks like renting housing, opening bank accounts, or navigating healthcare systems. Misunderstandings in medical or legal contexts can lead to severe consequences. For instance, an expatriate misinterpreting a prescription dosage due to a language deficit faces direct health risks. Furthermore, professional growth is restricted, as high-paying roles typically demand fluency, often forcing immigrants into underemployed positions despite their qualifications.

However, the claim that this situation inherently causes "serious social problems" overstates the case. While initial isolation and cultural friction exist, they rarely escalate into deep societal crises. Modern technology mitigates isolation; translation applications and language learning platforms bridge communication gaps instantly. Additionally, major global cities host diverse expatriate communities, allowing newcomers to find immediate psychological comfort and social support networks in their native languages while they integrate.

Moreover, language barriers often foster resilience and mutual cultural exchange. Most host societies offer subsidized language integration programs to assist newcomers. Over time, the shared effort of communication builds empathy between locals and immigrants, turning a potential social problem into an opportunity for multicultural cohesion.

In conclusion, a lack of local language skills undoubtedly causes immediate practical friction and professional limitations. However, it does not permanently fracture social structures. With technological aids and community support, immigrants can successfully navigate these hurdles and integrate into their new homes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly taken a balanced position, acknowledging the practical difficulties while arguing against the severity of the social consequences. Your ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of medical prescriptions and the role of technology in mitigating isolation. The argument is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. To reach a band 9, you could further deepen the analysis by briefly exploring how the 'social problems' might manifest in specific cultural contexts, but the current level of development is already very strong and meets the criteria 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 distinct focus, moving from practical challenges to a counter-argument regarding social issues, and finally to a synthesis. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', 'Additionally', and 'Moreover', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the piece. The referencing is precise, and the flow between sentences is smooth, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using sophisticated items such as 'undeniable challenges', 'mitigates', 'expatriate', 'multicultural cohesion', and 'fracture social structures'. The word choices are precise and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or word choice. You show a good awareness of style, maintaining a formal and objective tone throughout the essay. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also contributes to the persuasive nature of your argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and effective use of punctuation. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar is consistent. For example, the use of 'While some argue... I believe that...' demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of complex sentence construction. There are no significant errors that impede communication or distract the reader. Your control over tense and agreement is excellent, and the overall grammatical accuracy is very high, consistent with a band 8 performance.

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