Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Many people believe that the main reason for learning a foreign language is to travel or work in another country. However, other people think that there are many other reasons to learn a foreign language. I believe that learning another language has several benefits besides travelling and working abroad.

On the one hand, learning a foreign language is very useful for people who want to travel or work in another country. When people know the local language, they can communicate more easily with other people. To cite an example, a person who works in France may need to speak French to communicate with colleagues and customers. Similarly, tourists can ask for directions, order food and talk to local people more easily if they know the language.

On the other hand, there are many other reasons for learning a foreign language. Firstly, it can help people understand another country's culture and traditions. Secondly, learning a language can improve memory and communication skills. It can also help students get better job opportunities in their own country because many companies need employees who can speak more than one language. For example, a person who knows English and another foreign language may have more opportunities in international companies.

In my opinion, travelling and working abroad are important reasons for learning a foreign language, but they are not he only reasons. Learning another language can also improve communication skills, increase job opportunities and help people understand different cultures. I hold that everyone can benefit from learning a foreign language, even if they do not plan to travel or work abroad.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the benefits of language learning for cognitive development and career prospects. However, the development is somewhat brief; while the arguments are clear, they could be extended with more depth or specific, nuanced examples to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'Similarly' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or faulty cohesion, and the referencing is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms like 'international companies', 'job opportunities', and 'communication skills'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterise a higher band. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor typo in the conclusion ('he only' instead of 'the only'), but this does not impede understanding. The student uses a variety of structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('even if they do not plan...') and relative clauses ('a person who works...'). The control of punctuation is generally good, and the overall grammatical accuracy is high.

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