Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-17

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 7.0)

It is often argued that learning a foreign language is worthwhile only for those who intend to travel to or work in another country. Others, however, believe that there are broader reasons for acquiring a second language. While overseas travel and employment are certainly important motivations, I believe that learning a foreign language offers a range of additional personal, cultural and intellectual benefits.

On the one hand, there are strong practical reasons for learning a foreign language, particularly for people who plan to live or work abroad. Being able to communicate in the local languages can make everyday activities, such as shopping, using public services and dealing with colleagues, considerably easier. In the workplace, languages proficiency can also improve professional relationships and reduce misunderstandings and between employees from different backgrounds. Similarly, tourists who speak the local languages are generally able to interact more confidently with residents and navigate unfamiliar places without relying entirely on translation tools. Consequently, for international workers and travellers, learning another languages can be both a practical necessity and a valuable advantage.

On the other hand, the benefits of learning a foreign language extend far beyond travel and employment. One major advantage is that it enables people to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures, as language is closely connected with society's history, traditions and values. In addition, learning another language can strengthen cognitive abilities such as memory, concentration and problem-solving. It can also increase people's confidence and allow them to form meaningful relationships with individuals from different cultural background. For instance, a person who learns Spanish may be able to communicate with Spanish-speaking friends and understand their culture even if they never visit a Spanish-speaking country.

In conclusion, although travel and work are important reasons to learn a foreign language, I believe it also offers significant cultural, social and personal benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both views—the practical necessity of language for travel/work and the broader personal/cognitive benefits—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of cognitive benefits like memory and problem-solving, and the practical example of navigating unfamiliar places. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the depth of your analysis by providing a more nuanced comparison between the two viewpoints in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two main viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct arguments. The flow is natural, and the use of linking words such as 'consequently' and 'in addition' helps guide the reader through your reasoning. The cohesion is well-managed throughout the text, making the essay easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'practical necessity', 'cognitive abilities', and 'meaningful relationships' are used effectively. There are occasional minor slips, such as 'languages proficiency' (should be 'language proficiency') and 'another languages' (should be 'another language'). While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the lexical range further. Overall, the vocabulary is accurate and fits the academic context well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'even if they never visit...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally strong. There are a few minor grammatical slips, such as 'misunderstandings and between' (an unnecessary 'and') and 'cultural background' (should be plural 'backgrounds' to match 'individuals'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. Your control of grammar is consistent, and you successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to convey your ideas.

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