Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-01

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 6.0)

It has been argued by some individuals that the sole purpose of learing new language is just to explore the world or for foreign employment purposes. On the other hand, some believe that there are others reasons why people should learn a foreign language. I will discuss both views before presenting my own opinion.

To begin with the first view of learning a foreign language for travelling and for employement purposes which directly relates to the better communication. In order to travel the world, people learn foreign languages so they can properly communicate with locals of the nation to understand the cultural values. In this view, tourists travel the country to explore, to enjoy the traditional food and to learn the cultural customs which becomes easier for them, therefore they learn the language. Apart from this reason, people also learn foreign language for better employment opportunities with higher incentives and better work life balance. In some countries, some companies only hire the foreign national if they are familiar with their local language for instance, Korea, where it is mandatory for foreign individuals to understand Korean language.

There are also so many other reasons why people learn foreign language. First reason is studying in foreign country where learning local language is a mandatory part of the academic curriculum and students have to complete the language learning course to successfully graduate. For example, Maori is the traditional language of the New zealand and also mandatory part of the university programs. Another reason for learning a foreign language is a part of the hobby. for example, North Americans prefer to learn new languages like Spanish and Portuguese.

In my opinion, this is true that people do learn foreign language for better communication for travelling and to have better employment opportunities but these are not the only reasons. Other reasons like educational and hobbies also make them to learn new language.

In conclusion, although people learn new language for travelling and for work purposes but these are not the only reasons that contribute in learning foreign language. People do learn language as a part of their hobby and for enrollment in foreign universities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on foreign language learning—namely, travel and work versus education and hobbies—and presents a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is uneven. While the first body paragraph touches on travel and employment with relevant examples, the subsequent discussion on education and hobbies remains somewhat limited and under-developed. For instance, the mention of Maori as a mandatory university course in New Zealand is a relevant point, but it is not expanded upon to fully support the argument. Furthermore, the conclusion largely restates previous points without adding fresh synthesis. This balances out to a solid performance where the main task requirements are met, but deeper exploration of the supporting arguments would be needed to reach the next level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and conclusion, demonstrating a logical progression of ideas throughout the text. Paragraphing is utilised sufficiently to separate the different viewpoints and the writer's opinion. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'To begin with', 'Apart from this reason', and 'In conclusion'. However, some elements of cohesion feel a bit mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'Another reason' and 'Other reasons like'. Referencing is generally clear, though minor lapses in transitional flow prevent the essay from achieving a fully seamless progression of thought. The response successfully meets all criteria for the lower band while displaying early characteristics of the higher band.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary appropriate for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'incentives', 'mandatory', and 'academic curriculum'. However, there are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and word-form errors that prevent a higher score, such as spelling mistakes ('learing' instead of learning, 'employement' instead of employment, 'New zealand' instead of New Zealand), and awkward phrasing like 'as a part of the hobby'. Word choices are generally functional enough to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication, but they lack the precision and natural collocation control characteristic of more advanced bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses and conditional structures such as 'people learn foreign languages so they can properly communicate' and 'if they are familiar with their local language'. There are, however, some recurring errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing or incorrect articles (e.g., 'learing new language', 'as a part of the hobby'), subject-verb agreement slips ('reasons why people learn foreign language'), and awkward prepositional usage. These errors are noticeable but they rarely impede overall communication. The command of grammar reflects a standard mix of structures with persistent minor flaws rather than consistent error-free complexity.

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