Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-08

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)

These days, learning foreign languages in addition to native language has become a widely followed trend. People are showing more intrest in learning different languages. However some people think that it is only beneficial if we are planning to work, study or travel foreign countries while in others opinion these are not only reasons to master foreign languages.

In my opinion, learning new languages irrespective of visiting, working or travelling to those countries helps in one's personal as well as professional growth. If we go for job interviews in our own country they ask you about the number of languages you can speak, because it helps them in dealing with foreign dealers and customers. I think, it really depends on one's interest and requirements. For example, there are some people who love to learn foreign language to watch and enjoy those countrie's dramas in their language while some people learn a particular language because they are interested or planning to move to that country for jobs or studies. So, we could not say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is to travel or work in a foreign country. There could be a multiple reasons for learning foreign language.In fact, universities in many countries are encouraging students and adding it as a particular subject in their syllabus to learn foreign language.

These days, students are moving to foreign countries for studies, which is encouraging them to study foreign language while employees are settling in other countries which is also a reason to learn new language. Companies are dealing with foreign dealers and customers, this has also become a reason to master foreign language. Youngsters are enjoying and loving to watch foreign country's dramas and cinemas, which is leading to a reason to learn other language.

In conclusion, People learn foreign languages according to their interest and requirements. So, simply saying travelling or working are the only reasons to learn foreign language would not be accurate.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and make your own position clear: learning languages can support personal and professional growth, and travel or work are not the only motives. Relevant examples include using languages with overseas customers and learning to enjoy foreign dramas. However, the two views are not explored equally. The paragraph about travel, study and employment mostly lists reasons rather than explaining why some people regard these as the only practical purposes. Your point about universities adding languages to their syllabuses is also introduced without a specific example or explanation. Develop each side with a clear reason and supporting detail, and make the distinction between the views more explicit. The response contains 11 words copied from the task prompt, which are excluded from the authoritative word count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, a body and a conclusion, and its overall position is easy to identify. Examples are generally grouped by topic, such as employment and entertainment. However, progression within the body is not always clear: the second paragraph moves from your opinion to job interviews, personal interests, universities and then back to the central claim. The next paragraph repeats several points about study, work and companies rather than advancing the discussion. Linking phrases such as “These days” recur, while “while” and “which” sometimes connect ideas in a cumbersome way. Give each paragraph a distinct purpose—one for the practical view and one for other motivations—and use clear references and transitions to show how each example supports that paragraph’s point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary, including “personal as well as professional growth,” “requirements,” “master foreign languages” and “foreign dealers and customers.” These choices help communicate the topic, though some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “widely followed trend,” “a reason to learn” and “foreign dealers.” There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “intrest” and “countrie's,” and “foreign language” is repeated frequently where more specific wording could add flexibility. Aim for accurate collocations and vary the terms used for language learning and its purposes. For example, describe companies as serving international clients, and distinguish practical, cultural and personal motivations rather than relying on repeated general phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including conditional language (“If we go for job interviews…”) and clauses introduced by “while” and “because.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “in others opinion” needs a possessive form, and “There could be a multiple reasons” has an article and number-agreement problem. In “learning foreign languages in addition to native language,” the article before “native language” is missing. Punctuation also needs attention: “However” should be followed by a comma, and the sentence beginning “For example” runs through several contrasting ideas without clear boundaries. Check articles, possessives, singular/plural agreement and sentence punctuation, while keeping the useful variety of structures you already attempt.

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