Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Some poeple believe that learning a foreign language is a only reason for either traveling or working in a foreign country, while others say these are not the only reasons why someone learn a foreign language. I am in favour of later view, people learn a foreign language for many reasons. I will discuss both perspectives in the further paragraphs.
On the one hand, people learn foreign language because it helps in their work and visit a foreign country. Sometimes, people need communicate with other language in work. At that time, if they have already knowledge of foreign language, they can easily talk with foreigner. Also, it helps in visiting other countries. Whenever, they want to buy any things in foreign country. They can easily get from ask in foreign language. For example, some companies do work with international companies. If employees know foreign language, they can easily talk with foreigner. Also, sometimes people go foreign for spent their free time. At that time, they have need for purchase any things. If they know their native language, they can easily buy things.
On the other hand, people believes these are not only reasons for learning a foreign language. Because it has other reasons also. For instance, students need learn foreign language for study in abroad. Other countries native language help them to communicate with their local people. So, student can talk with local community.
In my opinion, people learn foreign language for multiple purposes. Because foreign language give benefit him to communicat anytime with other countries local community. So, people learn foreign language for their own reason.
In conclusion, some people believe there is a only reason for learning a foreign language because of travelling or work. But other think these are not only reasons. From my point of view, people learn foreign language for their multiple own reasons.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that learning a foreign language is solely for travel and work versus other reasons—and provides a clear position throughout. The introduction states the writer's view, and the conclusion reiterates it. However, the ideas are somewhat repetitive and lack deep development or specific real-world examples beyond general statements about buying things and talking to local communities. Phrases like 'For example, some companies do work with international companies' are quite basic and lack elaboration. This places the response comfortably in Band 6, where all parts are addressed with relevant ideas, but some are under-developed.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is arranged with a clear overall structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs addressing each side of the argument, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently. However, cohesion is often faulty or mechanical, with noticeable issues in referencing and transitional phrases. For instance, the transition 'I am in favour of later view' contains a grammatical slip, and sentences within the body paragraphs are sometimes disjointed. Phrases like 'At that time' and 'Also, sometimes people' are overused repetitively to link ideas. Additionally, logical progression within paragraphs stumbles slightly due to awkward phrasing and repetitive reasoning. These features reflect the Band 6 descriptor where cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is not always entirely clear.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate basic arguments about travel, work, and studying abroad. However, the range is limited and repetitive, with frequent word-choice errors and awkward collocations, such as 'go foreign for spent their free time' and 'foreign language give benefit him to communicat'. There are also spelling errors like 'poeple' and 'communicat'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary items such as 'international companies' and 'local community', but overall control lacks flexibility and precision. This corresponds well to Band 5, where the vocabulary is minimally adequate but noticeable errors and limited range cause some difficulty for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Some poeple believe that learning a foreign language is a only reason for either traveling or working...' and 'If employees know foreign language, they can easily talk with foreigner.' However, frequent grammatical errors occur throughout the text, including missing articles ('is a only reason', 'study in abroad'), incorrect verb forms ('people believes'), and preposition errors ('go foreign'). While these errors rarely completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader. Complex structures, when attempted, are often faulty. This matches the Band 5 descriptor for grammar, which notes a limited range of structures and frequent errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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