Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

Living in a country where the dominant language is foreign to an individual can create significant challenges in everyday life. Although language barriers can undoubtedly lead to social and practical difficulties, I do not believe that these problems are necessarily serious or unavoidable, particularly when individuals are willing to learn the local language and engage with the wider community.

One major difficulty is the effect of language barriers on social integration. People who cannot communicate effectively in the local language may struggle to form friendships, participate in community activities or understand social norms. This can leave newcomers feeling isolated and excluded, particularly during the early stages of their stay. For example, an immigrant who speaks very little of the local language may find it difficult to establish relationships with neighbours or participate in social events, even when they have a strong desire to integrate. Over time, such isolation can contribute to frustration and a reduced sense of belonging.

Language difficulties can also create practical problems because communication is essential when dealing with important services and institutions. Individuals may struggle to understand employment contracts, complete official forms, communicate with healthcare professionals or resolve problems with landlords and utility providers. These difficulties can have serious consequences if important information is misunderstood. For instance, a person with limited knowledge of the local language might misunderstand instructions from a doctor or fail to fully understand the terms of an employment contract, potentially placing their health or financial security at risk.

However, I would argue that the severity of these problems depends largely on the individual's circumstances and ability to adapt. Many countries provide language classes, translation services and integration programmes for immigrants, while modern technology has made translation considerably easier. More importantly, learning the local language can gradually remove many of the barriers that initially make daily life difficult. People who make a sustained effort to acquire the language are generally better placed to establish social connections, access public services and participate fully in society.

In conclusion, living in a country where one must communicate in a foreign language can cause both social and practical problems, especially for newcomers with limited language skills. Nevertheless, I only partly agree that these difficulties are necessarily serious, because their impact can be substantially reduced through language learning, community support and the effective use of available resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments regarding social and practical difficulties are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the challenges of navigating healthcare or employment contracts. You also provide a balanced perspective by discussing how these issues can be mitigated through personal effort and institutional support. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' question by qualifying your agreement.

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 problems (social and practical) and the counter-argument is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'For example', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'dominant language', 'social integration', 'financial security', and 'sustained effort' are used accurately and naturally. You avoid repetition and show an ability to use less common lexical items in appropriate contexts. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sophisticated enough to convey your ideas clearly and effectively throughout the entire response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures and subordinate clauses, without error. For instance, the sentence 'People who make a sustained effort to acquire the language are generally better placed...' is grammatically sound and sophisticated. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way.

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