Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-20
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 5.0)
In recent years, the issue of ______ has become a topic of considerable debate worldwide. While some people believe that ______, others argue that ______. This essay will examine both perspectives and provide my own opinion on the matter.On the one hand, it is often argued that ______. One of the primary reasons for this is that ______. This means that ______. For example, ______. Furthermore, ______, which makes this argument more convincing. As a result, many people support the idea that ______.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that ______. The main reason for this viewpoint is that ______. In other words, ______. For instance, ______. Moreover, ______, which further strengthens this argument. Consequently, it is clear why some people oppose the idea of ______.
From my perspective, I strongly believe that ______. This is because ______. In addition, ______ plays a crucial role in this situation. For example, ______. Therefore, I am convinced that ______ is the most appropriate approach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although both sides of the argument have their own merits, I firmly believe that ______. This is due to the fact that ______ and ______. It is therefore recommended that individuals and governments take appropriate measures to address this issue effectively.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is heavily reliant on generic templates and placeholders, featuring blank spaces where the specific topic details should be, such as 'In recent years, the issue of ______ has become a topic of considerable debate worldwide.' Furthermore, the length check confirms that the text contains only 209 words, falling 41 words short of the mandatory 250-word minimum for Task 2. Consequently, the task cannot be said to be fully addressed, and the ideas remain entirely undeveloped. Because the response is essentially a template rather than an engagement with the specific prompt regarding foreign language learning, it can only be awarded a band score of 4.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
Despite the lack of substantive content, the text follows a mechanically sound structural layout. The student employs standard transition markers typical of essay frameworks, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is visibly used to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, even though an explicit heading 'Conclusion' is awkwardly inserted. However, because the actual progression of ideas is entirely absent due to the use of blank placeholders, the overall organization feels hollow and repetitive. Cohesion functions at a purely surface level. For these reasons, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary present in the response consists almost entirely of functional meta-language and discourse markers, such as 'considerable debate worldwide', 'perspectives', 'primary reasons', and 'crucial role'. While these phrases are grammatically correct and appropriate for academic writing, the complete absence of topic-specific vocabulary means it is impossible to evaluate a full range of lexical resource. There are no spelling errors in the written words, but the lexical scope is severely limited by the template nature of the submission. Therefore, the writing demonstrates a minimally adequate range that warrants a band score of 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The grammatical structures utilized in the template sentences are well-formed and accurate. The student demonstrates control over complex sentence patterns, employing subordinate clauses correctly in structures such as 'While some people believe that ______, others argue that ______' and 'This is due to the fact that ______ and ______.' Punctuation is generally accurate, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors within the limited visible text. However, because the range of grammatical structures is restricted by the heavy reliance on pre-memorised formulaic frames and because the overall length is insufficient, the grammar cannot reach higher bands. A band score of 6.0 reflects the grammatical accuracy of the sentences actually produced.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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