Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-25

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 7.0)

Living in a foreign country can be an enriching experience, but having to communicate in an unfamiliar language may create social and practical difficulties. I largely agree with the statement, although I believe the severity of these problems depends on an individual`s ability to adapt and learn the local language.

The most significant social problem is the difficulty of forming relationships. People who cannot communicate confidently may feel isolated, particularly when interacting with neighbours, colleagues or communities.

Misunderstandings can occur because humor, cultural references and social conventions are expressed through language. Consequently, immigrants may withdraw from social activities and struggle to develop a sense of belonging.

There are numerous practical challenges. Everyday tasks such as visiting a doctor, opening a bank account, finding accommodation or dealing with government officials can become stressful when instructions are difficult to understand. In workplaces, limited language proficiency may reduce employment opportunities and make it harder for employees to follow instructions accurately. For instance, a student who has recently moved to the UK may find it difficult to understand officials documents or communicate with healthcare professionals without assistance.

Nevertheless, these problems are not necessarily permanent. Language classes, translation applications and regular interaction with native speakers can considerably improve communication skills. Moreover, many multicultural societies provide support services for newcomer, which can ease their transition.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that living in a country where a foreign language is required can cause serious social and practical problems. However, with consistent language learning , social integration and support , most of these difficulties can gradually be overcome.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that acknowledges both social and practical challenges while offering a balanced perspective on how these issues can be mitigated. The ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly the examples regarding healthcare and administrative tasks. The essay maintains a consistent stance throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, nuanced examples or explore the 'social' aspect with slightly more depth, as the practical examples are currently more detailed than the social ones.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, moving from social problems to practical challenges, and finally to potential solutions. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'nevertheless', and 'moreover' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is smooth. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the argument well. The writing is easy to follow, and the logical development of the argument is consistent throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'limited language proficiency', 'multicultural societies', and 'social integration'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choice is generally precise. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate greater flexibility. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and academic throughout the piece.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student uses complex sentences effectively, such as 'People who cannot communicate confidently may feel isolated, particularly when interacting with neighbours, colleagues or communities.' Grammar and punctuation are generally accurate, with only minor slips, such as the pluralisation error in 'newcomer' and the slightly awkward 'officials documents'. These errors are infrequent and do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The control over sentence variety is good, and the overall grammatical accuracy is high.

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