Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-19
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 this regard, there are two popular prevailing notions. One believes that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country while other claims that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. I tend to argue on both schools of thought and share my opinion.
In the first place, the people, who assume learning a foreign language for travel or work. Its true that if you do not know the foreign language you cannot not communicate with the local people. For example, if you know a foreign language, the biggest benefit is that you will have great job opportunities. Thus, it is pertinent to say that Learning a language makes things much easier for us.
On the other hand, who oppose the first notion, also possess some logical point to get themselves heard. Initially, they believe that travel and work are not the only reasons for learning a foreign language a foreign language. There are many other reasons as well. For example, if you obtain residency in another country, you should know about their language. Moreover, they also stress on a point that if you want read historical document's, knowing the original language is necessary to understand the text fully. Hence, it is worth saying that learning a new language, is good for brain health and memory.
In a nutshell, after considering all the above-mentioned arguments we can reach a logical conclusion that while work and travel are major reasons to learn a foreign language, there are many other valuable personal, cognitive, cultural benefits as well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—that a foreign language is only for travel/work, and that there are other reasons—while providing a personal opinion in the conclusion. The ideas are generally relevant, but some are slightly underdeveloped. For instance, the paragraph discussing the opposing view mentions reasons like residency and reading historical documents, but these points are expressed somewhat simply. The writer states, 'One believes that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country while other claims that these are not the only reasons.' A clearer overall stance is established toward the end, and the main arguments are appropriately introduced and supported, meeting the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is arranged into four clear paragraphs with a logical overall progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices are utilized to connect ideas, such as 'In the first place', 'On the other hand', and 'In a nutshell'. However, some of the referencing and transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. For example, the sentence 'On the other hand, who oppose the first notion, also possess some logical point to get themselves heard' exhibits awkward phrasing and slightly faulty cohesion. Paragraphing is adequate, but the logical flow between sentences could be smoother to reach higher band levels. Overall, the essay demonstrates a coherent structure that supports a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student displays an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'prevailing notions', 'pertinent', and 'cognitive'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text, such as saying 'One believes' instead of 'Some believe', and awkward phrasing like 'stress on a point that'. Furthermore, there is a spelling/punctuation error with 'document's' instead of 'documents'. While these errors do not impede overall communication, they restrict the lexical score to a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar. However, there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. Examples include fragment and agreement issues such as 'One believes that the only reason... while other claims...', and a double negative error: 'you cannot not communicate'. There is also a missing auxiliary verb in 'the people, who assume learning a foreign language for travel or work. Its true...'. Punctuation errors, such as missing commas after introductory phrases and unnecessary commas before clauses ('learning a new language, is good'), also occur. These errors place the grammatical performance within the Band 5.5 range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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