Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
In modern times, the issue of learning foreign language has become highly controversial. There are those who say that learning foreign language is only for travel or work, however others believe that these are not the only reasons. In the essay I will examine both side of the argument and provide my overall opinion.
Generally speaking, there are two main reasons why people believe that learning a foreign language is to travel or work. Perhaps the main reason why people are in favor of this idea is that there are large number of people who loves to visit foreign county. Consequently, they have to know international language for cooperate with local people and also the immigration. A further point in favor of learning foreign language is that there are lot of peoples who want a better lifestyle and sufficient income, so they migrate abroad. And the first requirement for working abroad is knowing the language of that country. As a result, for knowing the language they will gate e better job and also handsome salary.
Despite these arguments, there is also a case for the idea that there is also many reason for learning a foreign language. The main reason why people think that lot of students whose dream is to go to abroad for study. Therefore, they have to learn a foreign language to get admitted to university. Secondly, learning another language can improve cognitive skills such as memory and concentration.
In conclusion, it must be said that learning foreign language purpose has become a complex issue with no easy judgment. Despite argument of the contrary, I feel that there are many reasons to learn a foreign language.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the view that language learning is for travel/work and the alternative view. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the point about cognitive skills is mentioned but not expanded upon, and the argument regarding study abroad is brief. While a position is stated in the conclusion, it lacks depth and specific justification throughout the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, you should provide more detailed examples and ensure that your own opinion is clearly integrated and supported throughout the essay rather than just mentioned at the end.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Consequently', 'A further point', and 'Despite these arguments'. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and there are instances where the flow is slightly awkward, such as the sentence starting with 'The main reason why people think that lot of students...'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, which affects the overall coherence. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next will help improve your score in this area.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision. You use basic phrases like 'large number of people' and 'better job'. There are also some errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'cooperate with local people' (instead of 'communicate') and 'gate e better job' (spelling error). To improve, you should aim to use a wider range of topic-specific vocabulary and more sophisticated collocations. Avoid repeating simple words and try to incorporate more academic synonyms to demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'there are lot of peoples', 'there is also many reason') and article usage. There are also spelling errors such as 'gate' instead of 'get'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement will significantly improve your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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