Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

Learning a foreign language has become prevalent. Many people believe traveling or working abroad are the reasons for it, while some tend to disagree with this notion. In most European countries, it is important to learn a new language in order to ensure efficient communication both at work and in school. Apart from these benefits, it also creates a sense of belonging which in turn brings about building of interpersonal relationships and environmental adaptation.

Firstly, learning a new language aids in ease of communication both at work place and in school. Inspite of how time-consuming it is to learn a foreign dialect, it can also help in overcoming language barriers which tend to pose a significant drawback to migration. For instance, if everyone in an industry or school setting speaks a single language, it will enhance effective communication while ensuring smooth day to day running of activities because they will understand what they say to themselves.

Apart from this advantages, new languages can be a great tool for adapting to a new country and also for making friends. Communication is the key to having a meaningful relationship, and that includes foreign languages. It exposes you to people's of different culture and heritages which helps to increase your understanding of relationships.

In conclusion, learning foreign language is paramount for people interested in migrating to other countries for studiies and employment opportunities, as it aids in day to day conversations at the respective places. Furthermore, this can be a way of increasing one's understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds of people, while also making friends.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You present a relevant view that language learning has benefits beyond travel or employment, especially adapting to a culture and forming relationships. The examples about communication at work and school also support the practical view. However, the task asks you to discuss both sides, and the first view is not clearly explained as a reason for learning a language specifically to travel or work abroad; instead, you mainly describe communication in general. Your own position is also implied rather than stated directly, and the ideas about cultural understanding and friendship are only briefly developed. To strengthen the response, explain each view distinctly, state which you agree with, and support that position with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall shape: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. The paragraphs generally group related ideas, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Apart from this,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the discussion. However, progression is sometimes repetitive: communication at work and school appears in both the introduction and first body paragraph, while the conclusion largely restates earlier points. Some links between ideas are also unclear, particularly the move from language barriers to “smooth day to day running” in the example. Use more precise referencing and develop each paragraph around a distinct point, with explanation that shows how it supports your argument.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “language barriers,” “interpersonal relationships,” “migration,” and “cultural backgrounds.” These choices show an attempt to use less common and topic-specific expressions, and the meaning is generally clear. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, however, such as “environmental adaptation,” “a single language,” and “understand what they say to themselves.” There are also spelling and form slips, including “studiies” and “Inspite.” Aim for more natural combinations and precise wording: for example, “adapt to a new environment,” “share a common language,” and “understand one another.” Proofreading would help remove avoidable spelling errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses such as “which in turn brings about…” and “because they will understand…”. Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, and errors rarely prevent understanding. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain, particularly with articles, agreement, plurals and possessives. Examples include “Apart from this advantages” (use “these advantages”), “learning foreign language” (use “learning a foreign language”), and “people’s of different culture” (use “people from different cultures”). The sentence beginning “In most European countries” also makes a broad claim without a clear grammatical or logical connection to the task. Continue practising accurate noun phrases and check agreement and article use when editing.

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