Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Many individuals claim that travel and employment are the two main underpinnings for learning a foreign language, while some demographics oppose this paradigm and argue that other motivations exist. From my perspective, international travel and global work opportunities have a significant impact on the acquisition of bilingual skills, notwithstanding other valid justifications.Principally, vocational demands and international travel necessitate linguistic fluency for basic survival and professional performance. When individuals relocate abroad for career opportunities, mastering the local language is paramount to successfully managing customer services and interacting with corporate clients. Failing to develop these communication skills can place a severe hindrance on workplace performance and negatively impact a professional resume. Furthermore, linguistic competency is vital during overseas travel to handle everyday tasks such as shopping and navigating medical emergencies, where accurately explaining symptoms to health practitioners is a matter of safety. Consequently, acquiring a second language drastically alleviates the stress associated with navigating a foreign environment.Conversely, alternative factors such as leisure activities and personal curiosity also drive language acquisition. For instance, the rise of global online gaming and digital communication networks has motivated younger demographics to learn foreign languages simply to interact with their international peers. Additionally, an intrinsic curiosity about exotic cultures and historical backgrounds often inspires people to study a new language independently. It is also true that the modern expansion of remote working requires individuals to master foreign tongues from their home countries to effectively coordinate with overseas employers.In conclusion, while career advancement and global tourism remain the primary objectives for developing bilingual skills, digital shifts like online gaming and remote employment also play an increasingly significant role. Therefore, both professional necessity and personal lifestyle preferences contribute uniquely to language learning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You clearly discuss both perspectives—the necessity of language for travel and work, and the alternative motivations like personal interest and digital connectivity. Your position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between digital communication and language acquisition, which adds a modern dimension to the argument. To reach a higher band, ensure that your own opinion is even more explicitly stated in the conclusion, rather than just summarizing the two sides, to ensure the 'position' is fully developed throughout the entire response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two main viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Principally', 'Furthermore', and 'Conversely'. The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow your argument easily. Referencing is generally clear, and the flow of information is natural. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, which demonstrates a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'underpinnings for learning', 'linguistic fluency', 'paramount to successfully managing', and 'intrinsic curiosity' show a high level of lexical control. The use of collocations is generally accurate and natural. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move toward a band 9, you could incorporate even more idiomatic or nuanced expressions, though the current level is already very strong and demonstrates a flexible range of vocabulary suitable for academic writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as 'When individuals relocate abroad for career opportunities, mastering the local language is paramount...', and maintain control over tense and subject-verb agreement. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. There are no persistent grammatical errors, and the complexity of your sentence construction contributes to the overall professional tone of the piece. The control over grammar is consistent throughout the response.

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