Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-27

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 6.5)

It is frequently debated that the only reason for learning a foreign language is to travel to or work in a foreign country. While learning a foreign language is undoubtedly beneficial for people who live or work abroad, I firmly believe that there are several other important reasons for acquiring another language.

On the one hand, knowing a foreign language can provide significant advantages for people who travel or seek employment abroad. When working in another country, employees may need to communicate with colleagues, customers and other members of the local community. Similarly, language skills can make travelling easier because tourists can communicate directly with local people instead of relying entirely on translators. For example, an immigrant working in France would benefit greatly from being able to communicate effectively in French.

On the other hand, there are several reasons to learn a foreign language that are unrelated to travel or employment. Firstly, it enables people to communicate with foreigners in their own country. For example, people who work in the tourism industry may need to communicate with international visitors. Furthermore, learning another language provides access to books, films, educational materials and information that may not be available in one's native language. It can also promote a deeper understanding of other cultures and beliefs. In addition, learning a language can improve cognitive skills such as memory, concentration and problem-solving.

In conclusion, although learning a foreign language is particularly useful for travelling and working abroad, I believe that its benefits extend far beyond these purposes. It can facilitate communication, provide access to information and help people develop a deeper understanding of other cultures.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on learning a foreign language—travel and employment versus broader cognitive, cultural, and domestic benefits—and presents a clear personal position throughout the essay. The introduction establishes the viewpoint, and body paragraphs develop distinct supporting ideas, such as direct communication for tourists and immigrants, domestic multilingualism, access to foreign media, and cognitive enhancements. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as working in France or operating within the local tourism industry. While some points could be expanded even further for a higher band, the overall development satisfies the criteria for a well-rounded response that meets all prompt requirements effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The response is divided into four well-defined paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs representing each side of the argument, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to link ideas, such as "On the one hand," "On the other hand," "Furthermore," and "In addition." Referencing is clear and logical, and paragraphing is managed sufficiently to guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. There is no major fault in cohesion, making the structure easy to follow and comprehend from start to finish.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student displays an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating less common terms and phrases such as "undoubtedly beneficial," "seek employment," "relying entirely on translators," and "cognitive skills such as memory, concentration and problem-solving." Word choice and collocation are generally accurate, and spelling is correct throughout. Although the vocabulary is mostly standard rather than highly sophisticated or nuanced, it allows the student to convey precise meanings without any impediment to communication, matching the expectations for a solid band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer employs a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, demonstrating frequent error-free constructions. Examples include conditional and participial phrases such as "When working in another country, employees may need to communicate..." and relative clauses like "information that may not be available in one's native language." Control of grammar and punctuation is consistently strong, with only very minor or rare awkwardness that never impedes understanding. The grammatical accuracy and variety displayed throughout the text align comfortably with the descriptors for a band 7 performance.

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