Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-22

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)

There is an ongoing debate about whether learning a foreign language is mainly useful for travelling or working abroad, or whether there are other important reasons for doing so. While being able to communicate in another country is certainly a major benefit, I believe that learning a foreign language has many wider advantages.

On the one hand, people often learn a foreign language because they plan to travel or work in another country. Knowing the local language can make travelling much easier because tourists can communicate with local people, ask for directions and deal with everyday situations without relying entirely on translation apps. Similarly, for those who intend to work overseas, language skills can be extremely valuable. Employees who can communicate with international clients or colleagues are likely to have better career opportunities. For example, an Indian software engineer who learns German may have an advantage when applying for jobs in Germany because they can communicate more effectively in both professional and social situations.

On the other hand, there are several reasons to learn another language even without plans to travel or work abroad. Firstly, language learning can improve a person's cognitive abilities, such as memory, concentration and problem-solving skills. Secondly, it allows people to understand other cultures more deeply. Learning a language also involves learning about the traditions, values and ways of thinking of the people who speak it. Furthermore, foreign-language skills can be useful for communicating with international friends and accessing books, films and online content in their original form.

In my opinion, although travelling and employment are important motivations, they are not the only reasons for learning a foreign language. The intellectual, cultural and social benefits can be equally valuable, even for people who never leave their home country.

In conclusion, learning a foreign language can certainly help people travel and find employment overseas, but its benefits extend far beyond these purposes. It can improve mental abilities, increase cultural understanding and help people communicate with a wider range of individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both views—the practical necessity of language for travel/work and the broader cognitive and cultural benefits—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the Indian software engineer in Germany and the mention of cognitive skills like memory and problem-solving. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your arguments. The response is balanced, and your position is clear from the introduction to the final paragraph, meeting all the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. The transition between paragraphs is smooth, and the referencing is clear throughout. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and your own opinion. The flow of the argument is natural, and the reader is guided through your reasoning without any confusion. The use of cohesive devices is skillful and never feels mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use topic-specific terms like 'cognitive abilities', 'international clients', and 'cultural understanding' effectively. The word choice is generally natural and appropriate for an academic context. While the vocabulary is accurate and clear, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'major benefit' or 'extremely valuable', you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or less common lexical items to show greater flexibility. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like structures ('if they plan to...') and relative clauses ('who intend to work', 'who can communicate'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To move to a higher band, you could experiment with a wider range of advanced grammatical structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, but the current level of accuracy and the mix of sentence forms are very solid.

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.