Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-30

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 7.0)

Some people believe that the main purpose of learning a foreign language is to travel to or work in another country. Others argue that there are several other reasons for learning a foreign language. This essay will discuss both views, and I believe that learning another language has many benefits beyond travelling and employment.

On the one hand, travelling and working abroad are important reasons why people learn foreign languages. When people visit another country, knowing the local language allows them to communicate with residents, ask for directions and deal with everyday situations more easily. Similarly, people who work in foreign countries need to communicate with colleagues, customers and employers. For example, a person who moves to Germany for work may need to learn German in order to communicate effectively in the workplace and manage daily activities. Therefore, a foreign language can be extremely useful for people who live, study or work abroad.

On the other hand, there are many other reasons to learn a foreign language. One important reason is to understand different cultures. Language is closely connected to a country's traditions, history and way of life. By learning another language, people can communicate with foreigners more easily and gain a better understanding of their culture. In addition, learning a language can improve personal skills such as memory, concentration and communication. It can also allow people to enjoy foreign books, films, music and other forms of entertainment in their original language.

Furthermore, learning a foreign language can help people build relationships with others. In today's interconnected world, people can communicate with individuals from many different countries through social media, education and international communities. Being able to speak another language can make these interactions easier and more meaningful, even when a person has no intention of travelling or working abroad.

In conclusion, travelling and employment are significant reasons for learning a foreign language, but they are not the only ones. Learning another language can also increase cultural understanding, develop personal skills and help people communicate with others around the world. Therefore, I believe that foreign-language learning is valuable for a wide range of purposes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on why people learn foreign languages and clearly presenting a well-developed personal position. The introduction sets up the essay effectively, and the body paragraphs logically explore the dual perspectives. The first body paragraph examines the traditional reasons of travelling and working abroad with relevant examples, such as a person moving to Germany for work. The subsequent paragraphs extend the argument by exploring broader benefits, such as cultural understanding, cognitive skill improvement, and global relationship building. The conclusion successfully reiterates the main points and aligns with the author's stated stance. Ideas are well supported throughout with relevant explanations and examples, satisfying the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from one paragraph to the next. The essay employs clear cohesive devices and transitional phrases such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which structure the argument effectively without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Reference pronouns and substitution are managed well throughout the response, ensuring that the relationships between ideas remain transparent and easy to follow. The overall organizational structure supports the clarity and flow of the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to the academic task. Words and phrases such as 'interconnected world', 'cultural understanding', 'everyday situations', and 'communicate effectively' show a good command of language. Less common lexical items are used with some awareness of style and collocation, as seen in expressions like 'social media, education and international communities'. While there are a few slightly repetitive phrases, the overall lexical control is strong, and word choices never impede communication. Minor slips do not detract significantly from the general quality of expression.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and varied grammatical patterns effectively. Examples such as 'When people visit another country, knowing the local language allows them to communicate...' demonstrate good control over complex syntax. The majority of sentences are grammatically accurate, with correct punctuation and tense consistency throughout. While there are a few minor slips or slightly standard phrasings, these errors are very occasional and do not impede communication in any way, fitting the criteria for a strong performance.

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