Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-24
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)
Language plays an important role in human life. Some people believe that only reason people learning foreign language on purpose of travel and work . However , other think that they are many other reason someone should be learn foreign language like stimulate your brain, cognitive benfits and improve communication skill. I believe that second language or foreign tongue is very important to learn becuase it also give you better opportunities. I will discuss my view points in upcoming paragraphs.
On the one hand , some individual think only these two reasons for learning a foreign languiage like travel to abroad and for work it is true some extent because if people know that the foreign langauge then he/ she able to move on or travel to abroad otherwise they can't go to overseas if they do know about the language . In additional, Foreign language is also essential for the people to learn non-native language when you try to move abroad for work purpose like bussiness . when you know the oreign tongue then you easy speak with other people to discuss about you work which built your confidence. For example, most of people who move to canada for work purpose they learn first franch language.
On the other hand side, they are many other reasons people learn foreign language like for stimulating brain , improve communication skills and cognitive benefits . First of all , if people learn second language it stimulate their brain like if they learn own language only left side of brain work if they learn non-native language right hand brain is also working to learn new things. In additional it improve the people communication skills when they know how to speak in other language then they can easily make new friends which help to built your communication skills. Moreover it also improve the congonative benefits like it delays ageing of the brain so brain can focus on other learning ,and maintain learning span.
In conclusion, both view have some positive points , althought learning non-native language is also help for travel to abroad and for work , it have other reason that why people learn foreign language like improve communication skills, cognitive benefits and so on.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 on why people learn foreign languages—travel and work versus cognitive and communication benefits—and provides a clear personal position in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning Canada and learning French for work, and brain stimulation benefits. However, some ideas tend to be slightly repetitive and under-developed, particularly in the elaboration of the second viewpoint where explanations become somewhat circular. Nevertheless, the main task requirements are met adequately, aligning well with the descriptors for a Band 6.0 where all parts are addressed and relevant ideas are presented, although some aspects lack depth and precision.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with clear paragraphing, dividing the introduction, two body paragraphs, and the conclusion appropriately. The writer attempts to use standard signposting phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand side', and 'In conclusion'. However, cohesion is often mechanical and sometimes faulty. For instance, referencing is occasionally unclear ('when you know the oreign tongue then you easy speak with other people to discuss about you work which built your confidence'), and cohesive devices are repetitive or awkwardly phrased, such as 'In additional'. Paragraph progression is visible, but the logical flow between sentences is occasionally disrupted by structural errors. This performance fits the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range, and is best placed at Band 5.5 due to awkward referencing and mechanical cohesion.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'cognitive benefits', 'stimulate their brain', and 'congonative benefits'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('benfits', 'becuase', 'bussiness', 'franch', 'congonative') and word choice inaccuracies ('other think that they are many other reason', 'right hand brain'). These errors do not seriously impede communication, as the reader can still understand the intended meaning, but they restrict the lexical score. The flexibility and precision required for higher bands are absent. Therefore, this lexical performance satisfies the requirements for Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, attempting complex structures through conditional clauses and relative clauses (e.g., 'if people know that the foreign langauge then he/ she able to move on'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, featuring frequent errors in subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, and tense consistency (e.g., 'people learning foreign language on purpose', 'they are many other reason', 'if they learn own language only left side of brain work'). While these errors rarely completely obscure the meaning, they are persistent throughout the essay and demonstrate limited control over complex sentence patterns, placing the grammar firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.