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)

The topic of learning a foreign language as been debated for many years, and there are 2 main ways that a person should learn a new language. Some people believe that the only reason to learn a new language is to travel to work or a foreign country, on other hand, people say that there are mant benefits that a foreign language can bring, and right now, i will discuss both veiwa and argue which is better.

Having knowledge about a languages and also speaking of the language of the destination country help you alot in your trip. this will make you have a good relationship with the citizens, find the address easier and less annoying. For example, knowing english can help you alot during path finding and Cardinal direction. Language knowledge also help you find a better job position. Since employer's preference for people with similar expertise is to the person who has better language skills.

In addition to the stated benefits, there are several other reasons for learning new language. One of the more common reasons is studying abroad. A language certificate is usually one of the more neccessary qualifications for applying into highly ranked universities. Also, most traders learn a new language for business purposes, because without it, they wont be able to understand what the customer want. Bad communication also affects international customers and directly hurts the economy.

Finally, in my opinion, although travel or work are important reasons to learn a new language, these are not only the reasons, and many other reasons should be covered, as what i did in the second paragraph.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and give a clear overall opinion: travel and work matter, but they are not the only reasons to learn a language. The discussion includes relevant points about communicating with local people, employment, studying abroad, and international business. However, some ideas are asserted rather than fully explained. For instance, the point about language certificates and university applications needs clarification about which language or qualification is required, while the business example would benefit from a specific illustration. The opening also promises to discuss which view is “better,” although your conclusion mainly restates your position. Develop each main reason with a clearer explanation or example, and make the comparison between the views more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sets of reasons, and a concluding opinion. Phrases such as “In addition” and “Finally” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from travel to employment without a strong link, and the sentence beginning “Since employer’s preference” does not connect smoothly to the preceding point. Some transitions are mechanical, and the conclusion refers back to “the second paragraph” rather than summarising the argument naturally. Use clearer topic sentences, connect each example directly to its main idea, and make references between sentences more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “language certificate,” “highly ranked universities,” “business purposes,” and “international customers.” These choices show an attempt to discuss education and commerce, but the range is limited and several noticeable word-choice, spelling, and collocation errors make parts less natural. Examples include “path finding,” “Cardinal direction,” “similar expertise,” and “applying into” universities. There are also repeated general terms such as “new language” and “reasons.” Aim for more precise, natural combinations and check spelling carefully. For example, describe navigating or asking for directions, and use a more idiomatic phrase for submitting a university application.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a reason clause with “Since” and a conditional structure in “without it, they won’t be able to understand.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect fluency. Examples include “The topic … as been debated,” “Having knowledge about a languages,” and “Language knowledge also help,” which show problems with verb forms, articles, number, and subject–verb agreement. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention: “this will make…” begins with a lowercase letter, and the sentence starting “Since employer’s preference” is incomplete. Practise building accurate complete sentences before adding more complex clauses, and proofread agreement, articles, and capitalisation.

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