Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-20

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 6.0)

In a contemporary society, the issue of purpose of learning a second language has sparked a considerable debate. While a segment of a society hold the view that learning a foreign language is mainly for travel or work in a foreign country others believe that there is more to learning a foreign language. This essay will elaborate both views before reaching a reasoned conclusion.

Proponents of the former arguments believe that foreign language is majorly for travel and work. One significant justification is that in the world, the most important aspects of human life is to work for money and adventure. This means if you are to work or travel to another country you will definitely need to learn the language that is predominantly spoken in that country. For instance, if you are from Namibia and you have been posted to work for an NGO in France you will of course have to learn French for easy communication there. Consequently, if you have a great spirit of adventure and visiting different countries there will be a need for you to learn a foreign language and culture of people of a country you are visiting.

Nevertheless, an alternative school of taught believe that there are other reasons for learning a foreign language. The underling rationale is that one can learn a foreign language communicate with a lover, to feel a sense of achievement, for religious purposes and many other.

In my opinion, I believe that the main reason for learning a foreign language is mainly due to travel and work.

in conclusion, both sides present compelling arguments however, I am firmly in favor of those arguing that the purpose of learning a foreign language is mainly for work or travel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The essay addresses both views and provides a clear personal position. However, the development of ideas is quite limited. The second body paragraph, which should discuss the 'other reasons' for learning a language, is underdeveloped and lacks specific examples or depth. The arguments provided are somewhat repetitive, and the essay relies on generalizations rather than exploring the nuances of the topic. While the task is addressed, the lack of substantial supporting detail for the second perspective prevents this from reaching a higher band. To improve, ensure each viewpoint is explored with equal depth and supported by concrete, well-explained examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'Nevertheless', 'Consequently', and 'In conclusion' are used to link sentences and paragraphs. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally imprecise. For instance, the phrase 'the former arguments' is used, but the structure of the preceding paragraph could be more tightly integrated. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, which helps the reader follow the argument. Overall, the essay is easy to follow, but it lacks the sophisticated flow required for a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision needed for a higher score. There are some instances of awkward phrasing and minor errors, such as 'school of taught' (should be 'thought') and 'underling rationale' (should be 'underlying'). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic terms like 'important' and 'main reason'. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'a segment of a society hold' (subject-verb agreement), 'the most important aspects... is' (subject-verb agreement), and 'communicate with a lover, to feel... and many other' (parallelism and word choice). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with missing commas in introductory phrases. While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent sentence construction will help improve your accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.