Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-18

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 about foreign languages. Some argue that these languages are only useful for travel and work purposes in foreign countries. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why i believe that learning a new language provides multiple benefits.

On the one hand, linguistic diversity is directly connected with cognitive development such as problem-solving skills, critical thinking etc. Multilingualism improves higher mental functions by developing decisive and thinking abilities. Some research findings have explained role of different languages in students. They proved that, language diversity enables them to switch attention quickly and easily to multiple separate tasks. It is because of the selective as well as divided attention. Another noteworthy point is, language proficiency transcends barriers between people of different cultures. Afterall, greater cultural awareness is essential to establish a broader world view and open mindedness, which is crucial to achive international opportunities and work with global workforce.

On the other hand, learning a second language is time consuming and financially demanding. Ultimately, language learning without planning and requirement is waste of time. For instance, people who work in local markets and not want to experience an international collaboration then not to invest money in second language is a wise choice. They can use their precious time and money to improve existing skills. However, appropriate exposure and patience is needed to acquire a new language.

To conclude, although learning a foreign language has several negative merits, it plays an important role in cognitve as well as career advancement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal position. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the cognitive benefits are discussed with some depth, the counter-argument regarding time and financial costs is less well-supported. The essay touches on the prompt's requirements, but the explanation of why learning a language is a 'waste of time' for some could have been more nuanced to fully explore the 'work/travel' perspective mentioned in the prompt. The conclusion is brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented, merely restating the position. To reach a higher band, ensure that both sides of the argument are balanced in terms of depth and supporting evidence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, each with a clear central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the use of referencing is occasionally weak, such as in the sentence 'They proved that, language diversity enables them...', where the pronoun 'they' lacks a clear antecedent. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and there is a clear progression of ideas throughout the text. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that pronouns and references clearly link back to the intended subjects.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated language like 'linguistic diversity', 'multilingualism', and 'transcends barriers'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and minor collocation errors, such as 'negative merits' (which is contradictory) and 'not want to experience' (which should be 'do not wish to pursue'). Spelling is generally accurate, but the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on repetitive structures. To achieve a higher score, focus on using more precise collocations and avoiding contradictory phrasing. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary beyond basic terms will also be beneficial.

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 missing articles ('the role of', 'the language diversity'), incorrect verb forms ('not want to experience... then not to invest'), and punctuation issues (e.g., unnecessary commas after 'that'). These errors do not significantly impede communication, but they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and sentence construction. Practicing the use of more complex, error-free sentences will help demonstrate better control over grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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