Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

A highly controversial issue today relates to whethertoonly reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and explain why I believe others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language.

To begin with, one of the main several reasons for this is that it can have a signifiacnt impact on individuals and society. There are people who argue that primary purpose of learning a foreign language such as better job opportunities in different campanies while traveing abroad for different purpose. The main reason for believeing this is that a good job needs the right skills and studying useing for different subjects. One good illustration is that of students searching jobs in different companies.

On the other hand, other believe in reasons for learning a foreign language. It often argued that learning a language helps people understand different culture and improves their thinking skills. In addition, another important point is that this can lead to several positive outcomes in long term. A particularly good example learning a new language can improve memory and problem solving skills, which give more benefit. Therefore, it can clearly lead to postive outcomes.

In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I feel 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.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You introduce the topic and attempt to discuss both views, then state a position in the conclusion. However, the response only partially addresses the task: the first body paragraph focuses on job opportunities but does not clearly explain the travel argument, while the second gives brief claims about culture and thinking skills without developing them. The conclusion is also contradictory: it says you favour other reasons, then concludes that travel or work is the only reason. The response contains 199 words, so it is 51 words below the required minimum; 71 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. To improve, explain each view separately, support each with a specific example, and maintain one clear opinion throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable essay structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs signalled by “To begin with” and “On the other hand,” and a conclusion. These paragraph breaks help the reader identify the broad stages of your discussion. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited: the first moves from job opportunities to skills and students searching for jobs without making the links clear, and the second repeats the idea of positive outcomes. Some linking phrases, such as “In addition” and “Therefore,” do not establish a precise relationship between the ideas. The conclusion also conflicts with the position stated in the introduction. Build each paragraph around one clear point and use references and connectors to show how each sentence develops it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “foreign language,” “job opportunities,” “different culture,” “memory,” and “problem solving skills.” This gives you a basic range for discussing the subject. However, vocabulary is often repetitive or imprecise, and several spelling errors are noticeable, including “signifiacnt,” “traveing,” “believeing,” and “postive.” Some combinations are also unnatural, such as “studying useing for different subjects” and “a good job needs the right skills.” These choices can make your meaning difficult to follow. Aim to use accurate, natural phrases and check spelling carefully; for example, explain how language ability can improve employment prospects or cultural understanding rather than relying on vague references to “positive outcomes.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a few complex structures, including “why I believe…” and “which give more benefit,” and use basic sentence patterns to organise your points. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to understand. Examples include the missing subject in “It often argued,” the incorrect construction “other believe,” and the incomplete phrase “A particularly good example learning a new language…”. Articles and agreement also need attention, as in “understand different culture” and “which give more benefit.” Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check singular/plural agreement and articles. More accurate simple sentences would make your ideas clearer before you attempt longer structures.

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