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)

It is often argued that living in a foreign country without speaking the local language can lead to significant social isolation and practical difficulties in daily life. This essay agrees with this view, as language barriers genuinely restrict both a person's ability to build relationships and their access to employment and essential services.

To begin with, people who cannot communicate in the local language often struggle to form meaningful social connections. Everyday interactions, such as chatting with neighbours or joining in group conversations, become difficult, which can leave individuals feeling isolated and excluded. For example, an international student in Germany who lacks German language skills may find it hard to join social circles at university, even if classmates are welcoming, simply because casual conversation naturally defaults to the native language. Over time, this isolation can affect mental wellbeing and make it harder to adapt to a new environment.

In addition to social challenges, language barriers create very real practical obstacles, particularly in employment and access to services. Many countries require a minimum level of language proficiency before individuals can work in certain professions. In France, for instance, a B2 level of French is often required for professional roles, meaning that without this qualification, skilled workers may be excluded from jobs that match their expertise. Beyond employment, tasks like visiting a doctor, opening a bank account, or understanding legal documents can also become unexpectedly stressful without adequate language skills.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that living abroad without speaking the local language causes both serious social and practical difficulties, from isolation and reduced wellbeing to limited job opportunities and everyday struggles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the social and practical problems associated with living in a foreign country without speaking the local language. A clear position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the international student in Germany facing social hurdles and the professional B2 language requirements in France. The arguments are logical, persuasive, and directly answer the question of the extent of agreement with the statement. The response meets all criteria for a Band 8 level in this category, as all aspects of the task are well covered and thoroughly explored.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced, and the essay demonstrates a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct theme—social challenges followed by practical obstacles. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'In addition to', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the text without being intrusive. Referencing and substitution are handled smoothly, maintaining clear links between sentences and clauses. The organization supports the overall clarity and readability of the essay exceptionally well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Less common lexical items are used skilfully, including expressions such as 'social isolation', 'meaningful social connections', 'professional roles', and 'unexpectedly stressful'. There is a good awareness of collocation and style throughout the essay. Word choice is generally precise, and spelling is entirely accurate. While occasional minor inaccuracies might be present, the vocabulary used easily supports fluent communication and meets the high standards of Band 7.5 to 8.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures used accurately and flexibly. Examples include conditional and participial clauses, such as 'even if classmates are welcoming, simply because casual conversation naturally defaults to the native language'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the few minor imperfections do not impede communication. Punctuation is handled with precision, and control over verb tenses, modal verbs, and subordinate clauses is strong. This performance firmly aligns with the Band 8 descriptor where the majority of sentences are error-free.

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