Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-02

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)

It is often believed that people learn foreign languages primarily to facilitate travel or employment overseas, whereas others argue that these are not the main reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. In my opinion, traveling and working abroad are the most common reasons for learning any foreign language.

On the one hand, acquiring a foreign language is often considered important for travelling and working in another country. First, in developing countries, when people cannot find suitable employment opportunities, they tend to move abroad in search of better jobs. As they have to support their families, they may consider moving to developed countries as a better way to improve their standards of living. Second, most of the people are curious to explore the world, so they often travel to different countries. To communicate effectively and deal with everyday situations abroad, they may need to learn the language spoken in the country they visit. For example, when individuals can speak and understand the local language, they can easily explore the best places in that country by communicating with local people. Therefor, travelling and working abroad can be regarded as the primary purposes of acquiring a second language.

On the other hand, some people argue that travelling and working abroad are not the only reasons for learning another language. For instance, individuals may learn a foreign language out of personal interest or to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures. It can also help them communicate with people from different backgrounds and broaden their knowledge. However, I believe that these are secondary benefits rather than essential reasons for acquiring another language, as people can learn about other cultures through books, films and other forms of media without becoming proficient in another language.

In conclusion, although people may learn another language for cultural or personal reasons, I believe that travelling and working abroad remain the most significant purposes of acquiring a foreign language.

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 position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and generally well-supported, particularly the arguments regarding economic migration and travel. However, the discussion of the 'other' reasons is slightly underdeveloped; while you mention personal interest and cultural understanding, the counter-argument that these can be achieved through media is a bit reductive. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the cognitive or professional benefits of language learning beyond mere travel, providing a more balanced exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'First', 'Second', and 'In conclusion' effectively. However, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother to better highlight the contrast between the two viewpoints. Referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for an academic essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'facilitate travel', 'suitable employment opportunities', and 'standards of living' are used accurately. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though some choices are slightly repetitive or generic. For instance, 'explore the world' and 'deep understanding' are standard collocations. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated academic vocabulary or nuanced synonyms to avoid relying on common phrasing. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate and does not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'As they have to support their families, they may consider moving to developed countries as a better way to improve their standards of living.' While there are occasional minor errors—such as the spelling of 'Therefor' (should be 'Therefore') and the unnecessary article in 'most of the people'—these do not impede meaning. The control of grammar is generally good, and punctuation is used correctly throughout the text.

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