Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

It is increasingly argued that living abroad with a foreign language can cause social and practical difficulties. While I acknowledge that language barrier cause social problem. I do not believe that this view can be applied universally. In my view, I agree that language can create difficulties, but these difficulties can reduce in some situation.

To begin with, there are several compelling reasons why foreign language causing social problems can be considered valid. First and foremost, we have to face difficulty communicating with local people. In other words, due to limited vocabulory people can face difficulty to express thoughts. This is particularly significant because of less interaction, we have to face problem talking with new people and making friends. A pertinent example of this can be seen in international students or teachers, where you faced difficulty for asking question related to study with teachers. Consequently, you have to face problem with making friends and communicating with teachers and other people.

Furthermore, another noteworthy consideration is that you cannot present idea you have because of lack of confident in grammer. Sometimes you may have to face shy in public just because you are not fluent speaker. Therefore, these factors provide substantial justification for the view that language may cause social and practical problems.

Nevertheless, the aforementioned argument has certain limitations that warrant careful consideration. The most compelling counterargument is that language problem can be overcome with time. This is primarily because human brain is full of capable to learn new language if you have exposure of people who speak that language daily. For instance, if you practice daily both practical and theoretical, you capable of speaking fluent with time.

In conclution, although I concede that we have to face many problem in public , I remain convinced that we can learn new language with daily practice. Ultimately, the validity of this view depends largely on how often we practice, rather than being

universally applicable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position throughout that acknowledges both social and practical difficulties while arguing they can be overcome. Ideas are generally relevant, though some arguments in the body paragraphs tend to be repetitive and lack deep development. For example, the student mentions facing difficulties communicating with local people and making friends, but the supporting examples remain somewhat generalized, such as stating 'international students or teachers, where you faced difficulty for asking question related to study with teachers.' The transition between paragraphs shows a clear stance, yet the overall elaboration falls into the Band 6 category, where relevant ideas are presented but some are under-developed or repetitive.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is arranged coherently with a recognizable introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, such as the counterargument in the fourth paragraph. However, logical progression is occasionally hindered by mechanical or faulty cohesive devices, such as the repetitive use of phrases like 'To begin with,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Consequently.' Additionally, referencing is sometimes unclear, as seen in the sudden shift in pronouns ('where you faced difficulty' and 'you have to face problem'). Cohesive ties within sentences are sometimes inaccurate, but overall there is a coherent structure that allows the essay to be followed without major difficulty, placing it comfortably at Band 6.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'universally applicable,' 'compelling counterargument,' and 'substantial justification.' However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and spelling/word-choice errors throughout the text, including 'vocabulory' instead of vocabulary, 'lack of confident' instead of lack of confidence, 'grammer' instead of grammar, and awkward collocations like 'practice daily both practical and theoretical.' While these errors do not severely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score. The vocabulary is minimally sufficient to convey the intended meaning, matching the requirements for Band 5.5 to 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinating clauses such as 'While I acknowledge that...' and 'if you have exposure of people who speak that language daily.' However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors in verb forms, prepositions, and article usage. Examples of errors include 'language barrier cause social problem' (missing article and pluralization), 'language causing social problems can be considered valid' (gerund phrase structure), 'you capable of speaking fluent with time' (missing auxiliary verb and incorrect adjective form), and 'in conclution' (spelling). Because the errors are frequent and include basic structural slips within complex attempts, the response aligns best with Band 5.5.

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