Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-02

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)

In today's world, some people believe that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country, while others argue that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. In my opinion, there are so many reasons for learning a foreign language and one of these could be to travel to or work in a foreign country.

On the one hand, people think that one reason for learning a foreign language can be travel because of a language barrier they face while visiting a different country. If an Indian citizen visits Germany, they may face difficulties while ordering food in a restaurant and communicating with local people. Additionally, foreign clients of the company can be one of the reasons for this belief. This is because some companies have foreign clients, which encourages their employees to learn a foreign language, as clients often communicate in their regional language.

On the other hand, critics argue that hobby can be one of the reasons for learning a foreign language. Many people have a hobby of exploring and learning a new language, which allows them to achieve their life goals. Furthermore, students willing to do higher studies in a foreign country can be another reason for learning a new language. For instance, if an Indian student wants to pursue masters degree in Germany, they may learn the German language to communicate with the local people.

In conclusion, people may think learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign countries because of a language barrier and a company's foreign clients. However, there are many reasons of learning a foreign language such as a hobby and higher studies in a foreign country. I believe that there are many causes of learning a foreign language and one of them can be travel or work in a foreign country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on why people learn foreign languages and providing an opinion. However, some ideas are more fully developed than others, which places it at this level. While the first body paragraph adequately explains travel and work reasons through the example of an Indian citizen in Germany and company clients, the second body paragraph lists a hobby and higher studies but groups them somewhat loosely, with higher studies overlapping with the work and travel themes mentioned in the introduction. The position is stated throughout, but the depth of extension varies across paragraphs, reflecting an incomplete exploration of certain facets of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear, traditional four-paragraph structure. Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a recognisable introduction, body paragraphs featuring standard transition signals like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand', and a conclusion. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, particularly in how sentences are linked and how referencing is handled between paragraphs. For instance, the transition into the discussion about higher studies feels slightly abrupt. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, but achieving a higher band would require smoother, more natural transitions and a more integrated flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying the writer's meaning throughout. The response attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'language barrier', 'regional language', and 'pursue masters degree', though there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'do higher studies' instead of 'pursue higher education', and missing articles like 'a' before 'masters degree'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. To move to a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate a more flexible and precise range of less common lexical items with fewer stylistic slips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination through conditional and relative clauses, such as 'If an Indian citizen visits Germany, they may face difficulties...'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('work in foreign countries' instead of 'a foreign country') and minor prepositional inconsistencies. However, these errors rarely impede communication and the meaning remains clear. The grammar shows adequate control for routine structures, but to reach a higher level, the writer would need to produce a higher frequency of error-free complex sentences and finer control over articles and pluralisation.

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