Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-05
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)
Many people debate over the reason why learning another language is in order to work or travel abroad however others believe this is not the only reason to study a new language. Personally i believe during this modern era people usually learn new language to seek better school or workplace in foreign country.
One major reason why many people learn new language is to live and experience a place that can only see from images and living condition. In the last few decades parents started a trend of sending their children to live in foreign countries than their home country in order to land them in successful high paying job. Because of this many people followed the idea of going abroad, which turned out to be the main reason why people learn new language.
However there is no denying that there are people who learn different language for other reasons such as studying abroad, make friends or even for their brain health. Learning new languages unlocks lots of different opportunities other than traveling or for work. Some people wants to learn new languages to communicate with their loved ones for instance: there are lots disabled individuals who cant speak or communicate, often times their family members learn sign language to understand and express their feelings to them. Nonetheless, I still think there is only certain few numbers of people who learns another language other than wor travel reason.
In conclusion, throughout the globe people tries to learn new language for lots different purposes ,but I think majority of the people who study language usually have a reason of living or traveling
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 both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention reasons like 'brain health' and 'communicating with loved ones,' these points are not fully explored or supported with sufficient depth. The argument regarding sign language, while interesting, is slightly tangential to the core topic of learning a 'foreign' language for travel or work. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is elaborated upon with more specific examples or logical reasoning to demonstrate a deeper engagement with the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Nonetheless,' and 'In conclusion.' However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel abrupt. For example, the jump from discussing children moving abroad to the conclusion in the second paragraph lacks a smooth connection. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as the use of 'this' in the second paragraph, which could be more precisely defined. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'modern era,' 'opportunities,' and 'individuals.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'there is only certain few numbers of people' and 'wor travel reason.' The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the sophistication or precision required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing. Expanding your range to include more academic, topic-specific vocabulary would also be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as missing articles ('learn new language' instead of 'learn a new language'), subject-verb agreement issues ('people tries,' 'some people wants'), and punctuation errors. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are persistent throughout the text. To improve, pay closer attention to basic grammar rules, particularly article usage and subject-verb agreement, and aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures with greater accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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