Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-07

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)

Being able to speak multiple languages of other nations has been under debate since long time. Some people argue that it helps only in effective business communication and ease in traveling for any purpose in contrast to those who claim these are not the only reasons why one should learn new languages.

Learning foreign language has a lot more then just traveling and involving in business works. It is mainly due to foreign language helps one in understanding natives culture well and help them being part of that culture easily. Although, learning language of other nations can help in communicating effectively while travling to that country, one would not need any translator or assistance from apps. Similarly, Foreign language can also assist in effective business communication. For instance, conveying ideas in local langauge can help in presenting effectively rather then in some other language that they would need to translate for getting to the point, If one knows native language of audience then it would be pretty simple to pitch ideas or solutions.

At he same time learning foreign language become beneficial in far more ways then in traveling or working only. If someone moves their for either purpose, knowing their native language will make it handy to complete interact with locals and understand their culture and adapt in that culture. For example, if someone understand locals and their traditions, it would mush simpler for him to understand their history and culture.

I largely agree with this opinion that foreign language helps in many ways other then traveling and business communication. This is mainly due to the fact to understand other's culture one must be able to understand native language.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views by discussing travel and business as reasons to learn a language, then arguing that cultural understanding is an additional benefit. Your position is clear in the final paragraph, where you say you “largely agree” that language learning has wider value. However, the discussion is uneven: the first view receives examples about travel and pitching ideas, while the alternative view is mainly repeated through understanding culture and adapting to it. The response also does not fully clarify whether travel and work are valid reasons but simply not the only ones. Develop the wider benefits with a distinct example, such as building friendships, studying abroad, or accessing literature, and explain how it supports your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, body paragraphs and a concluding opinion, so the reader can identify its broad structure. Linking expressions such as “Although,” “Similarly,” and “At the same time” show attempts to connect ideas. However, progression is limited because the second and third paragraphs repeat the point about language helping people understand and adapt to local culture. The relationship between the two body paragraphs is also unclear: the first discusses travel and business, while the next returns to travel before introducing the wider benefits. Some connections are awkward, and the long sentence beginning “If one knows native language of audience” contains several ideas without clear separation. Give each paragraph a distinct purpose and use clearer sentence boundaries and references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “business communication,” “translator,” “natives culture,” and “traditions,” and you attempt more specific expressions such as “pitch ideas or solutions.” However, the range is limited by repeated use of “language,” “help,” and “understand,” while several inaccurate word choices or collocations make meaning less natural: “business works,” “complete interact,” and “make it handy.” Spelling errors such as “travling,” “langauge,” and “rather then” are also noticeable. Build a wider set of accurate expressions for cultural and practical benefits, and check spelling and collocations carefully. For example, use “business activities,” “interact effectively,” and “make it easier” in the relevant contexts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession clause beginning “Although” and a conditional sentence beginning “If one knows.” These attempts show some range, but complex structures are often faulty, and errors recur across the response. Examples include “has been under debate since long time,” “Learning foreign language has,” and “learning foreign language become beneficial,” where articles or verb forms are missing or incorrect. Agreement is also inconsistent in “language … help them,” and the sentence beginning “If one knows native language” lacks necessary grammatical elements. Punctuation and capitalisation are uneven, particularly in the long sentence about presenting ideas. Practise accurate article use, subject–verb agreement, and breaking long sentences into controlled clauses.

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