Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-17

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)

Point - Using a non-native language for day-to-day activities can surely invite an ample amount of social and practical problems. I highly agree with the statement.

Explaination - Speaking a language where people tend to understand can help one build connections and networks which would be fruitful to them. If one person is aware of the common language then there are chances that people will live with harmony and would be more welcoming to the immigrants in future. Although it's seen good if one has access and knowledge to multiple languages and can help in personal development as well but for daily purposes and better understanding, it is advised that people must educate themselves so that they can adapt the foreign environment.

Example - For instance, speaking Hindi in India where Hindi language is considered as a mother tounge could save one from lots of troubles. Whereas on the other hand if one tries to go for grocery shopping and talks in French language, they might face some difficulties as people might not understand what the person is trying to communicate and to some regions it might lead to disputes as well. Because in India, eventhough secularism had been introduced long back, but hot topics like religion and languages might lead to some disputes.

Conclusion- To conclude, from my perspective, people should try to speak in the common language in a way other people understands their language and the things they want to communicate to avoid disputes and unnecessary problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you strongly agree that using a non-native language can create problems, and you give a relevant example involving shopping in India. However, the response only partly addresses the task because it focuses mainly on communication difficulties and possible disputes, with little explanation of practical problems beyond grocery shopping and limited development of the social effects. The point about learning the local language is relevant, but the reasoning is sometimes unclear—for example, the claim that a shared language makes people more welcoming is not explained. Develop each main idea with a specific cause-and-effect explanation and a more precise example to make your argument fuller and more convincing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from a stated position to explanation, an example and a conclusion. This helps the reader follow the general argument. However, the labels “Point,” “Explanation,” “Example” and “Conclusion” make the organisation feel formulaic rather than forming a smoothly developed essay. Progression within the explanation is also uneven: the discussion shifts from language and social harmony to personal development and then to adapting to a foreign environment without clear links. Connect ideas more explicitly and organise the body around distinct social and practical problems. Some linking phrases, such as “Although” and “Whereas on the other hand,” are awkwardly used, which weakens cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “connections and networks,” “immigrants,” “adapt” and “communicate,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “an ample amount of social and practical problems,” “a language where people tend to understand,” and “mother tounge.” “Common language” is repeated, and some wording is vague, including “lots of troubles” and “hot topics.” These features make the expression less precise and occasionally require the reader to interpret your meaning. Aim for accurate, natural phrases and use more specific vocabulary for social isolation, access to services and everyday misunderstandings.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a conditional structure in “If one person is aware of the common language…” and a contrast introduced by “Although.” However, complex sentences are often difficult to control, and errors sometimes make relationships between ideas unclear. For example, “Speaking a language where people tend to understand can help one build…” has an unclear clause structure, while “people should try to speak in the common language in a way other people understands” has subject–verb agreement and sentence-structure problems. The long sentence beginning “Because in India” is also awkwardly attached to the preceding example. Practise building shorter, complete sentences first, then add subordinate clauses with clear subjects and correct agreement.

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