Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-20

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)

Few people are of the thought that sole reason for learning an outside language is because either they want to explore the country or to find a job there. While others believe that there may be different causes for an individual to learn a new language. Foreign languages play a vital role in communicating in a particular country because learning them opens up the opportunities for more jobs. In this essay, I will discuss both views before presenting my opinion.

Learning a foreign language in order to move to a country can be the only reason to learn a specific language. As some countries are very strict on their local language and does not like to communicate in other languages, It may be important to learn their language before moving out for travel or work. They do not consider other languages such as English as an authority over them. For example south asian countries such as Japan and China has a great sense of respect towards their language that they do not care learning a common international language to communicate. Some people have no interest in learning other languages they do it only if there is a need.

Individuals can learn foreign languages even if they have no interest moving to that country. Learning new languages has been a hobby of individuals since decades. People learn new languages to learn more about a specific country, their culture, traditions and language sounds. Learning foreign languages as a hobby excites them. For example a person living in Europe can learn Arabic to study it's complex language structures and the beauty of its vocal sounds.

In my opinion, travel and job are not the only reasons for learning a foreign language. There are many other causes that comes to consideration, A person can learn a foreign language as a hobby, to study their language and beauty of its vocals and translation meanings. Learning languages can even be done to kill time and boredom.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state your position clearly in the introduction and conclusion: travel and work are not the only reasons, and language learning can also be a hobby. The examples of learning Arabic for its structure and sounds, and of people learning only when they need to move, are relevant. However, the first view is not fully explained: the paragraph focuses mainly on moving and on countries’ attitudes to other languages, rather than developing travel and work as distinct motivations. Some claims, such as the generalisation about Japan and China, are also not clearly connected to the argument. Develop each view with a specific reason and example, then explain more fully why your own position is persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a concluding opinion. This makes the main line of discussion easy to follow, and phrases such as “For example” help introduce supporting details. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes uneven. In the first body paragraph, the discussion moves from strict language policies to English and then to people’s lack of interest without clearly showing how each point supports the view. The conclusion also repeats the hobby idea rather than drawing together the two sides. Use clearer links between claims and examples, and make references such as “they” more precise so readers can readily identify who is meant.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the topic, including “foreign language,” “traditions,” “language structures,” and “international language.” There are also attempts at more specific expression, such as describing Arabic’s “complex language structures” and “vocal sounds.” However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, including “of the thought,” “outside language,” “opens up the opportunities,” and “causes that comes to consideration.” Repetition of “learn” and “language” also limits flexibility. Aim for more natural academic phrasing and check whether each expression fits its context; for example, distinguish learning a language for cultural interest from studying its linguistic features.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including subordinate clauses beginning “As” and “because,” and most ideas remain understandable. However, errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward or difficult to process. Examples include “countries … does not like,” “Japan and China has,” and “causes that comes,” where subject–verb agreement is incorrect. There are also problems with sentence boundaries and punctuation, such as the comma splice and capitalisation in “consideration, A person,” and the sentence fragment beginning “While others believe.” Work on agreement, complete sentence formation, and punctuation, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and main verb.

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