Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-17

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)

In an increasingly globalized world, migration for work, education, or lifestyle choices has become highly commonplace. However, settling in a society where one does not speak the native language fluently presents formidable obstacles. I completely agree with the statement that living in a foreign-language environment induces both severe practical difficulties and profound social challenges for individuals trying to integrate.From a practical standpoint, a language barrier drastically hinders an individual’s ability to navigate daily survival and professional advancement. Fundamental tasks that local citizens take for granted, such as renting an apartment, setting up utility bills, or opening a bank account, become monumental hurdles when one cannot comprehend the paperwork or communicate with service providers. More critically, access to essential services like healthcare can be severely compromised. Miscommunicating physical symptoms to a doctor due to a lack of vocabulary can lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect medical treatments, which can be life-threatening. Furthermore, in the professional sphere, language limitations often restrict immigrants to low-skilled, underpaid positions, regardless of their qualifications in their home nations, thereby stifling their economic mobility and career potential.Beyond these everyday practical challenges, the social ramifications of not speaking the local language are equally severe. Language is the primary vehicle for cultural transmission and human connection. When individuals cannot participate in casual conversations, understand local humor, or engage in community discussions, they inevitably face intense social isolation and loneliness. This inability to connect frequently results in the formation of isolated immigrant enclaves, where expatriates interact exclusively with fellow compatriots. While these enclaves provide temporary comfort, they inadvertently deepen the divide between the immigrant population and the host society. Over time, this lack of integration can foster mutual suspicion, prejudice, and xenophobic attitudes between groups, ultimately fracturing the social cohesion of the broader community.In conclusion, relocating to a country without a firm grasp of its native tongue introduces profound adversity. The practical complications disrupt an individual’s financial, administrative, and physical well-being, while the resulting social fragmentation leads to emotional alienation and community division. Therefore, mastering the host country's language is not merely an optional asset, but a vital necessity for achieving a functional, fulfilling, and harmonious life abroad.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task prompt, examining both practical and social problems associated with living in a foreign-language environment. The writer takes a clear and well-developed position right from the introduction ('I completely agree with the statement...') and maintains this stance throughout the essay. Ideas are thoroughly extended and supported with relevant, detailed examples, such as navigating administrative tasks, avoiding medical misdiagnoses, and the formation of immigrant enclaves. The arguments flow logically from daily survival to broader community impacts, satisfying all requirements of the task response criterion at a high level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, guiding the reader smoothly from the introduction through to the conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with distinct paragraphs dedicated to practical problems, social ramifications, and the concluding summary. Cohesive devices—such as 'From a practical standpoint,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Beyond these everyday practical challenges'—are managed well, providing clear progression without feeling mechanical. Reference words are handled accurately, and the overall structure demonstrates a sophisticated command of organizational features, ensuring seamless transitions between complex arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an academic context. Less common lexical items and collocations are used skillfully throughout the text, including phrases like 'increasingly globalized world,' 'formidable obstacles,' 'economic mobility,' 'cultural transmission,' and 'social cohesion.' Word choice and collocations are generally precise, though there are occasional minor slips in phrasing, which prevents a higher band. Overall, the vocabulary is varied, sophisticated, and allows the writer to convey precise shades of meaning without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

A wide variety of complex sentence structures is used effectively throughout the response. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing excellent control over subordination, relative clauses, and participial phrases (e.g., 'When individuals cannot participate...', 'Regardless of their qualifications in their home nations...'). Punctuation is accurate, and grammatical structures are handled with a high degree of flexibility. Only very occasional minor slips occur, which do not impede communication in any way, firmly placing this performance in the higher tier of grammatical control.

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