Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-08-28
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)
Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. They say regardless of these two aspects, we do not have any major benefits. On one hand, some people think the precious time we invest in learning language is not worth it if we are not travelling or working.
While on the other hand, there are some people who believe that there is a far broader motivation. I am inclined to believe that although practical reasons are important, but there are many more advantages. One of the most significant benefit is connecting and relating to the people from different background. Studies have shown that bilingual people have lower risks of dementia later in life.
Another key is personal growth, learning a new language requires discipline and boast confident, which contributes to overall self-development. One other major benefit is cultural appreciation. Learning a new language allows people to access literature, films and music in their original form.
I firmly believe that while economic opportunities are strong motivator but they are not the only reason. In our globalized society language is an indispensable tool for personal development. It helps to broaden horizons and build bridges between people from different backgrounds. Moreover, the process of language acquisition itself provides intellectual stimulation and sense of personal enrichment that cannot be achieve through other means.
To conclude, although many people learn a foreign language to travel or work abroad, I am convinced that this is not the sole reason. The cognitive, cultural and personal advantages make language learning a valuable pursuit in its own right. Therefore, government and schools should continue to promote it as part of holistic education.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, covering cognitive, personal, and cultural benefits. However, the development is somewhat uneven; while the points are clear, some arguments, such as the mention of 'discipline' and 'boast confident', could be expanded with more specific examples to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main arguments. To improve, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with a concrete example or a deeper explanation of the 'why' behind the claim.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is handled well using phrases like 'While on the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. To achieve a higher score, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is always smooth and natural, avoiding repetitive structures at the start of paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, with some good attempts at topic-specific language such as 'cognitive', 'holistic education', and 'indispensable tool'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'boast confident' (should be 'boosts confidence') and 'cannot be achieve' (should be 'achieved'). These errors do not impede communication but indicate a need for more precise control over word forms and collocations. Expanding the range of academic vocabulary and ensuring correct usage of word forms will help elevate the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'One of the most significant benefit' should be 'benefits', and 'although... but' is a redundant structure. Additionally, there are issues with verb forms, such as 'cannot be achieve'. While the writer attempts complex sentences, the control over them is inconsistent. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and avoiding redundant conjunctions. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences will be key to reaching a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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