Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-09

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 5.0)

It is argued that, learning foreign languages is only for work and travel purpose only. Where others believe that, there are other reasons for learning foreign languages and not only for work and travel. In my opinion, i agree with the former statement that people learn new language for work and travel.

On the one hand, people will learn new language for work or travel because better job opportunities, high pay and deeper connections. In some countries, they will pay high salary and had better job openings but due to language problem only few people will choose this path to get succeed. The other reason would be to establish connections for work by travelling to new places and finding funders to invest in their company. For instance, many people will publish their research papers by foreign funders to claim novelty at reviews.

On the other hand, only few people will foreign language for other reasons like to improve memory power and to increase creativity. On of the reason is to improve the memory power, by learning new language it will not only increases memory power but it also helps in thinking from different perspectives to get an optimal solution. For instance, their is word in Japanese called "Kaizen" which means by choosing hardest path to learn new things which leads more memory power and boost up your creativity.

In conclusion, i believe many people will learn foreign languages for both work or travel only, this is because foreign countries offer high pays and establishes new connections.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a clear opinion in the introduction, agreeing that work and travel are the main reasons, and you discuss both views in separate body paragraphs. The examples about overseas employment and memory development are relevant to the topic. However, the response only partially fulfils the discussion: the first view receives more explanation, while the alternative view is briefly introduced and its benefits are not fully explored. The claim that people learn languages for work or travel “only” is also not consistently supported, since you acknowledge other reasons in the second body paragraph. Develop each side with a clearer explanation and a specific example, then make your own position consistent in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs signalled by “On the one hand” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. This helps readers identify the two views. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the point about finding funders shifts to publishing research papers without explaining the connection, and the Japanese example does not clearly demonstrate the stated benefits. Some linking is repetitive or awkward, including repeated references to “work and travel” and “For instance.” Use a clearer sequence of claim, explanation, and example in each paragraph, and make references explicit so readers can follow how each example supports the point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “job opportunities,” “salary,” “connections,” “memory power,” and “creativity,” which makes the subject understandable. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “funders” and “optimal solution.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making ideas difficult to interpret. For example, “finding funders to invest in their company” is not clearly connected to the surrounding point, while “claim novelty at reviews” is unclear. “High pays” and “get succeed” are also unnatural expressions. Build a wider set of accurate phrases for employment, travel, and cognitive benefits, and check that each chosen expression conveys the intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast between the two views and a sentence explaining how language learning may affect memory and thinking. However, the range is limited, and complex attempts often contain errors that make the meaning harder to follow. Examples include “people will foreign language,” “it will not only increases,” and “which leads more memory power”; these show problems with verb forms and sentence construction. There are also errors in agreement and articles, as in “there is word,” and punctuation problems in the opening, where commas interrupt the sentence. Practise building accurate clauses with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, articles, and punctuation when editing.

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