Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-03
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 5.5)
There is an ongoing debate on reasons to learn a foreign language. Some people say that the purpose for learning a non-native language is traveling and working abroad. However, the opponents argue that there are some other reasons as well, along with these reasons. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my view in favor of latter point.
On one hand, proponents think that learning a foreign language is challenging, and requires a reasonable time, energy, and cost. So, it is learned only when it is mandatory, like in case of studying or working in an international country. For example, IELTS or TOFEL certificate is required to prove proficiency in English language, in order to get admission in any English spoken country. In addition, if someone is working in an international organization, it helps to coordinate and interact with team members and present your ideas efficiently.
On other hand, opponents consider that these are not the only reasons to learn an international language. It also helps to communicate with people, while travelling for family holidays, to attending an international conference, or going abroad for any medical emergency. Moreover, several studies showed that learning a foreign language increases cognitive abilities and intelligence in people.
In my opinion, language is a key to communication, and learning more than one language, especially the foreign language is always beneficial. It is not only important for educational or working purpose, but also to building networks, improving communication skills, and enhancing cognitive abilities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the mention of cognitive benefits and professional requirements. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the point about cognitive abilities is mentioned but not fully explored or supported with a specific example. While the position is clear, the essay would benefit from more depth in the supporting arguments to move beyond a basic explanation of the points. Overall, the response is relevant and meets the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, each with a central topic. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'On one hand,' 'On other hand,' and 'Moreover,' which help guide the reader through the argument. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be more tightly integrated to improve the overall logical progression. The paragraphing is appropriate for the task.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express ideas clearly. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, such as 'proponents,' 'opponents,' and 'cognitive abilities.' However, there are occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'international country' (should be 'foreign country') and 'English spoken country' (should be 'English-speaking country'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but more precise and varied vocabulary would be needed for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'the purpose for learning' (should be 'the purpose of learning'), 'to attending' (should be 'to attend'), and 'especially the foreign language' (missing a comma or article). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are minor slips throughout. The errors do not impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. A wider variety of error-free complex structures would be required for a band 7.
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