Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-09

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 7.5)

Living in a foreign nation without speaking the native language presents undeniable challenges. While I largely agree that language barriers create severe practical and social hurdles, the extent of these problems often depends on a person's willingness to adapt and the technological tools available today.

On a practical level, an inability to communicate fluently severely limits daily functionality and career progression. Basic tasks like renting an apartment, setting up utility bills, or explaining medical symptoms to a doctor become stressful operations that require constant third- party assistance. Furthermore, professional opportunities are heavily restricted, as most high -paying jobs demand native or professional language proficiency. Immigrants are often forced to take underemployed positions below their actual qualification levels simply because they cannot articulate their skills.

Socially. the consequences are equally severe, frequently leading to profound isolation and cultural alienation. When individuals cannot engage in casual conversations, jokes, or deeper debates with locals, forming meaningful friendships outside their immigrant community becomes nearly impossible. This inability to connect can lead to the formation of isolated ethnic enclaves, which prevents true social integration. Over time, this divide can breed mutual mistrust and cultural misunderstanding between the local population and new residents.

However, it is important to recognize that these problems are not entirely insurmountable or permanent. In the modern generation, digital translation applications and language-learning software have significantly mitigated immediate practical challenges, allowing expatriates to navigate foreign environments with greater ease. Moreover, many multicultural societies offer subsidized language classes and integration programs to help newcomers bridge the gap, meaning that these social and practical issues can be temporary phases rather than lifelong afflictions.

To sum up, I completely agree that a language barrier induces significant practical hardships and social alienation for individuals living abroad. However, the extent to which these issues permanently disrupt a person's life depends heavily on available support structures, technology, and their own efforts to master the local language.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding practical challenges, such as medical and professional hurdles, and social consequences, such as isolation, are well-developed and supported with relevant examples. You also effectively balance the argument by acknowledging mitigating factors like technology and support structures, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance. The response is well-focused and meets all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the challenges and the counter-arguments is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'To sum up', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, and the structure supports the development of your argument perfectly.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. Phrases such as 'profound isolation', 'cultural alienation', 'ethnic enclaves', and 'mitigated immediate practical challenges' show a high level of lexical control and an awareness of collocation. The vocabulary is sophisticated and used naturally in context. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the range is sufficient to discuss complex social and practical issues with precision. Your ability to use topic-specific terminology effectively contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally excellent, with the exception of a minor punctuation error in the third paragraph ('Socially. the consequences'). This is a rare, non-systematic slip that does not impede communication. You demonstrate a high level of accuracy in tense usage and subject-verb agreement. The complexity of your sentence structures is consistent with a high level of proficiency, and the overall grammatical control is very strong.

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