Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

There is a common debate surrounding the reasons for learning a non-native language. Some argue that the main reason is for working or travelling to foreign countries, while others claim that there are multiple other purposes for learning a foreign language. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.

Those who argue that a new language should only be learnt if there is a necessity such as work requirements or for travelling to other countries believe that the only function of a language is communication. Nowadays there are many language translation apps, so communication in foreign language in daily life does not strictly require one to learn the language. People who hold this stance believe that individuals should only learn a foreign tongue if it is required for their career. For example, businessmen frequently need to travel to multiple countries to settle business matters or to meet clients. So those who have already learnt the language of a foreign country would not encounter communication issues.

Critics of this stance believe that apart from communication, there are multiple other purposes of learning foreign language such as to learn about different cultures as well as neurological development. Language reflect on a country's values, way of life and their culture. So people who wish to settle in foreign countries should learn the native language of the country as it can help them to understand and adopt their culture easily. Furthermore, learning multiple languages also offers neurological benefits to people. It can lead to enhanced memory, increased verbal communication skills and even prevents conditions like dementia.

I firmly hold the stance that learning a new language can be driven by multiple significant factors such as improving problem-solving and making everyday life convenient. Although language translation apps can be an alternative, but it is not a permanent suitable option for people wanting to settle in foreign countries. Learning a new language can provide better job opportunities for people as many companies do not hire people who cannot speak the native language of the country. Even simple tasks such as buying food from a store can become more convenient for people living in a foreign country. Additionally, it is also observed that children who learning multiple languages have better problem-solving skills and improved cognitive development. For example, many researches indicate that bilingual children perform better academically because of enhanced critical thinking skills.

Conclusively, the topic of the reasons behind people learning a foreign language has been up for debate. While some argue that new language should only be learnt in travel or work related situations, I believe that improving logical thinking and convenience in everyday life can also be the reasons behind it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For instance, the discussion on neurological benefits and cultural understanding provides good support for the second view. However, the essay could be improved by ensuring the arguments in the body paragraphs are more distinct; the third paragraph (critics' view) and the fourth paragraph (personal opinion) overlap significantly in their content regarding cognitive development and convenience. Despite this, the position is consistent throughout, and the response successfully meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is generally smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'Conclusively' are used effectively to link ideas. However, there are minor issues with referencing and flow; for example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be more explicit. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the arguments presented.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some flexibility. Phrases like 'neurological development', 'cognitive development', and 'critical thinking skills' are used accurately. There are some minor issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'Language reflect on a country's values' (should be 'reflects') and 'many researches indicate' (research is an uncountable noun). While the vocabulary is adequate and allows for precise expression, it does not consistently reach the level of sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over complex sentences, such as 'Although language translation apps can be an alternative, but it is not a permanent suitable option'. However, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'children who learning' (should be 'who are learning') and 'many researches indicate' (should be 'much research indicates'). Punctuation is generally accurate, but the occasional error in subject-verb agreement and article usage persists. These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band for accuracy.

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