Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-15

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 are two different opinions arising from different perspectives. We will discuss it in order. The first view originates from a mindset where language is a need to communicate, understand, comprehend, and is often considered as barrier that limits opportunities. The former view is practical and less poetic and tells a different side of story. For some people learning new languages might not be as fascinating as it could be for the other people, for that reason they think that languages should only be learned if there's a bigger purpose.

The other view is often derived by personal interests, literary passion, and to understand the richness of different languages and literature. For example, I am into poetry and literature and I love three languages that are deeply interconnected and would love to learn Arabic, Turkish, and Persian irrespective of the need to travel or work. But I might not learn spanish for any other reasons except for travel or work.

That summarizes that both views arise from different though processes, hence neither is entirely wrong or right.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify both views and give a personal example, explaining that some people learn languages for practical purposes while others are motivated by literature and personal interest. However, the discussion is only partial: the practical view is described in general terms, and the second view is supported mainly by your own preferences rather than a developed explanation or relevant example. Your opinion is also not clearly stated; “neither is entirely wrong or right” is a conclusion, but it does not explain which view you support or how you weigh them. The response is 177 words, below the required 250, which leaves the ideas substantially under-developed. Develop both sides with reasons and examples, then state your position explicitly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: it introduces the two perspectives, discusses each in turn, and ends with a summary. Phrases such as “The first view” and “The other view” help signal the shift between sides. However, progression is limited because each view receives only a short paragraph and the conclusion largely repeats the contrast rather than drawing the discussion together. Some links are unclear or mechanical: “We will discuss it in order” does not add a meaningful connection, while “That summarizes that” is an awkward lead-in to the conclusion. Build clearer paragraph development by moving from a topic sentence to explanation and an example, and use linking phrases that show the relationship between ideas rather than simply announcing them.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary and attempt some less common expressions, including “practical,” “literary passion,” “richness,” and “interconnected.” These choices help communicate the contrast between utilitarian and personal motivations. Some phrasing is imprecise or unnatural, however: “different though processes” appears to mean “different thought processes,” and “a different side of story” would be more naturally expressed as “a different side of the story.” “Understand, comprehend” is also repetitive, while “I am into poetry” is informal for an academic essay. Aim for precise, natural collocations and a consistently formal register; for example, explain that language learning can “broaden cultural understanding” rather than relying on overlapping verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and most of the meaning remains clear. For instance, the sentence beginning “For some people learning new languages…” includes a reason clause, while “I am into poetry and literature…” combines related ideas. Some grammatical errors and punctuation issues remain. In “These are two different opinions arising from different perspectives. We will discuss it in order,” the pronoun “it” does not clearly agree with the plural “opinions.” The sentence “The former view is practical and less poetic and tells a different side of story” needs an article before “story,” and the final sentence has inconsistent spacing before “or.” Continue using varied structures, but check pronoun reference, articles, and punctuation carefully.

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