Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-03

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 country where people speak a foreign language can create various difficulties for immigrants. Although some people can adapt to a new language over time, I largely agree that language barriers can cause both social and practical problems.

One major social problem is difficulty in communicating with local people. When individuals cannot speak the local language fluently, they may struggle to make friends, participate in community activities, and build relationships with neighbours. As a result, they may feel isolated and find it difficult to become part of society. For example, international students who have limited language skills may avoid social gatherings because they are afraid of making mistakes while speaking. This can negatively affect their confidence and social life.

There are also several practical problems caused by language barriers. People may have difficulty understanding important information related to healthcare, education, employment, transportation, and government services. In the workplace, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings between employees and employers and may reduce job opportunities. Similarly, when visiting a hospital, a person who cannot clearly explain their symptoms may face difficulties receiving appropriate assistance. Therefore, language ability is important for managing everyday activities independently.

However, these problems are not necessarily permanent. People can improve their language skills by attending language classes, practising with native speakers, and regularly communicating with local communities. Governments and educational institutions can also provide language-support services for newcomers.

In conclusion, I agree that living in a country where a foreign language is spoken can cause serious social and practical difficulties, particularly during the initial period of settlement. Nevertheless, these challenges can be reduced significantly through language learning and social support.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas regarding social isolation and practical difficulties in areas like healthcare and employment are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as international students avoiding social gatherings. The essay is balanced, acknowledging that these issues are not permanent, which adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively summarises your main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your examples by providing more specific, real-world scenarios or deeper analysis of the long-term societal impact of these language barriers.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with social problems, moving to practical issues, and then offering a counter-perspective. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'One major social problem', 'Similarly', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader smoothly through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. The referencing is clear, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words. The structure is sound and supports the development of your argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'language barriers', 'initial period of settlement', and 'language-support services' are used accurately. You avoid repetition and show an awareness of collocation, such as 'making mistakes while speaking' and 'managing everyday activities independently'. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it remains somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility and nuance in your expression, such as using more academic collocations or idiomatic phrasing where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although some people can adapt...', 'When individuals cannot speak...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The sentence structures are varied, moving between simple and complex forms effectively. To move into the higher band, ensure that you continue to use a wide range of structures with consistent accuracy, as your current control is solid but could benefit from even more sophisticated sentence variety.

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

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