Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-24

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)

People do believe that the only reason for learning a new language is for working in there and i think it is not wrong opinion beacause a large number of people learn a foreign language when they have to travel there for work or study and this is true because they think learning a new language is waste of time when it is of no use in their own country.

I agree to the statement in which they say that work is not the only reason for learning a new language. In my opinion, every individual should learn different languages to explore various cultures and improve communication skills even if they do not want to travel to a foreign country themselves. They can use it to guide the foreign people who come to visit their country and explore their traditions but most of the time people do not understand the foreign visitors language that is why they can not guide them properly.

Everyone should always keep learning new languages. People can add that as a skill in their resume and it can also be used as a life skill. I always want to learn different languages and i even want to master some languages because they sound so interesting.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear view that language learning has value beyond work or travel, especially for understanding cultures, improving communication, and helping visitors. These are relevant reasons, and the personal comment about wanting to master languages adds a little support. However, the task asks you to discuss both views, and the first view is only briefly explained: you mention work, travel, or study and the belief that learning is useless at home, but do not develop this with a specific example. Your own position is also not fully consistent, since the opening says the first opinion is “not wrong” while the next paragraph argues against it. The response is 41 words below the required minimum, which limits the space available to develop both sides and support your opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable progression: it introduces the practical reason for learning a language, presents your broader view, and ends with personal motivation. The second paragraph also develops a connected example about guiding visitors. However, the opening sentence is very long and combines several ideas, making the relationship between them difficult to follow. The shift from “I think it is not wrong” to “I agree” with the opposing view is not clearly signposted, so your position seems to change. Linking is also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “and” and “because.” Use separate paragraphs for each view and your opinion, and make the contrast explicit with phrases such as “On the other hand.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “foreign language,” “cultures,” “communication skills,” “traditions,” and “life skill.” These terms help keep the response relevant, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or repetitive, such as “learn different languages” and “use it to guide the foreign people.” There are also spelling and word-choice errors, including “beacause,” “there” for “there/their” in context, and “visitors language.” Aim for more precise collocations and vary repeated wording—for example, refer to “international visitors” and “communicate with them.” Proofreading spelling and possessives would also make your ideas clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including the clause beginning “because a large number of people learn…” and the sentence explaining how language skills can help visitors. This shows some ability to connect ideas, and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, the opening sentence is a run-on, with several clauses joined without clear punctuation. There are also errors in sentence structure and agreement, such as “I agree to the statement in which they say,” and missing apostrophes in “i” and “visitors language.” Capitalisation is inconsistent, and “they can not” should be written as “they cannot.” Use shorter, controlled sentences and check clause boundaries, pronouns, and punctuation.

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