Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-08
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)
Language is a way to deliver your thoughts, ideas, feelings to the next person. Every country has its own language. In each country people use their own language to communicate with each other. There are 1800 plus diverse languages in the world which used in different countries by different people.
The official language of each country is used by people for work, trading, communication and education. Mostly people learn languages of other countries in order to travel to or work in foreign countries. Because without their native language it is difficult to work there. And mostly travelers learn foreign language to communicate with the native people and learn about their cultures and traditions. For example, if anybody goes to Germany for education or work, then they have language barrier. Because without German you can not take admission in any German university as well you are unable for professional work and odd jobs.
But, majority thinks that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. Mostly learns new languages for their hobby and they enjoy learning new languages and new things. They enjoy to communicate with people all over the world and learn new things from them. While some people learn languages as a tutor to teach other languages to non native.
Thus, these are the reasons for learning a foreign language is in order to travel, to study, to work or for personal enjoyment and hobby. Learning new language is also profitable not time waste. Because after learning foreign language you will be able to deliver your message.
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 views mentioned in the prompt and provides a personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is quite limited. The arguments regarding travel and work are supported by a brief example about Germany, but the discussion on other reasons (hobbies, teaching) is superficial and lacks depth. The essay tends to list points rather than exploring the implications of language learning in a sophisticated way. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your points with more detailed explanations and specific examples that illustrate the broader societal or personal benefits of language acquisition.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive (e.g., starting multiple sentences with 'Mostly' or 'Because'). Some transitions between ideas feel abrupt, such as the jump from the discussion of Germany to the paragraph about hobbies. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph flows logically into the next would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'good', 'learn', and 'new things'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'not time waste' (should be 'not a waste of time') and 'deliver your message' (which is slightly unnatural in this context). To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to linguistics, cultural exchange, and professional development, and focus on using collocations more accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder the flow. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'majority thinks', 'Mostly learns'), missing articles (e.g., 'without German', 'as a tutor'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'then they have language barrier'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and pluralisation would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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