Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-09

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 6.5)

It is often argued by some people that living in a country where you have to speak a different language can cause serious social and practical problems. Although some people might disagree with this statement, I completely agree because of communication barriers, difficulties in education, and problems with finding a job.

There are many social and practical problems associated with this situation. Firstly, people might face communication barriers. For example, if someone needs help from other people but does not have enough skills to communicate in the foreign language, they may find it difficult to explain their problems or understand others. As a result, they may feel isolated and have difficulty making friends or becoming part of the local community. Therefore, living in a country where people speak a different language can create serious social problems.

Secondly, living in a foreign-language country can cause difficulties in education. Students who are not fluent in the local language may struggle to understand teachers, textbooks, and assignments. This can negatively affect their academic performance, even if they are intelligent and hardworking. For instance, an international student may understand a subject well but receive lower marks because they cannot express their ideas clearly in the local language. Therefore, language differences can create serious practical problems in education.

Finally, finding a suitable job can also be difficult for people who cannot speak the local language properly. Most employers prefer workers who can communicate effectively with customers and other employees. People with poor language skills may have fewer job opportunities and may have to accept low-paying jobs. Moreover, they may struggle to understand instructions at work, which can affect their performance. Consequently, language barriers can make it difficult for immigrants to build a successful career.

In conclusion, I completely agree that living in a country where people speak a different language can cause serious social and practical problems. Communication barriers can make it difficult to interact with others, while language difficulties can negatively affect education and employment opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt by clearly stating your position in the introduction and supporting it with three distinct, well-developed arguments: social isolation, educational challenges, and employment difficulties. Each paragraph provides a clear topic sentence and relevant examples, such as the mention of international students struggling with academic performance. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend your ideas by briefly considering the counter-argument or exploring the nuance of how these problems might be mitigated over time, which would demonstrate a more sophisticated level of critical thinking.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a single theme, and the use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Finally', and 'Consequently' helps guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. While the structure is very clear, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat standard and mechanical. To achieve a higher score, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the transition between sentences is more fluid, perhaps by using referencing or substitution to avoid repetitive sentence structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'communication barriers', 'academic performance', and 'job opportunities' are used correctly and appropriately for the context. However, the vocabulary remains somewhat functional and lacks the 'less common' lexical items that characterize higher band scores. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or topic-specific terminology, such as 'linguistic integration', 'socio-economic prospects', or 'academic attainment'. Your spelling is accurate throughout, and your word choice is generally natural, which ensures that your meaning is always clear to the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You show good control over a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to follow. You use conditional structures ('if someone needs help...') and relative clauses effectively. There are very few errors, and those that exist do not impede communication. To reach a higher band, aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice constructions or inverted sentences, to demonstrate greater flexibility. Ensure that your punctuation remains consistent, as your current control is solid but could be more varied to enhance the flow of your writing.

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

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