Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-10-29

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 6.0)

While some people believe that traveling or working abroad is the only reason for learning a foreign language, others think that this is not the sole reason to do so. In my opinion, learning a foreign language is useful even if you were to stay in your own country, since it introduces you with a new culture and set of norms.

Despite English being a foreign language, it has become an essential part of education all around the world. Additionally, English proficiency is also associated with success in many parts of the globe, especially in third-world countries. For example, in countries like Pakistan, people who speak English fluently with a foreign accent are looked up to in terms of lifestyle and social status. This forces people to learn the language without ever visiting the UK or US.

On the other hand, learning a foreign language without ever going abroad is useless to a certain extent. Since the idea behind learning a new language is to be able to discourse in it, doing so is unlikely possible amongst people who do not understand it. For instance, since most Pakistani people do not understand a single word of Chinese, learning it while living in Pakistan is only useful if you plan on visiting China in the future. Thus making it a useless skill if you do not travel abroad or already work there.

In conclusion, learning a global language is essential but might be useless if you do not visit the native country. However, as the world has become interconnected, learning a foreign language is just as important even if you do not plan on going abroad.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You discuss both views and state a clear opinion: learning a language can be valuable without travelling, particularly because it offers cultural understanding. The examples about English in Pakistan and Chinese study make the discussion relevant. However, the two sides are not developed equally. The case for learning languages for travel or work is mostly implied rather than explained directly, while the claim that learning Chinese in Pakistan is “useless” is broad and sits uneasily beside your final view that languages remain important in an interconnected world. Explain more precisely when travel or work motivates learning, and qualify the opposing argument with a reasoned example. This would make your response to all parts more balanced and fully supported. The response meets the stated length requirement; eight words copied from the task prompt were excluded from the count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting contrasting views, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “Additionally,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the discussion. The main limitation is that the progression within the argument is sometimes abrupt or repetitive. The second body paragraph moves from the purpose of communication to the example of Chinese and then to the sweeping conclusion that it is useless, without fully connecting these steps. The conclusion also repeats the contrast rather than resolving it. Use clearer links between claims and examples, and make the final paragraph explain how both views fit your position. This would make cohesion less mechanical and referencing more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “proficiency,” “social status,” “interconnected,” and “norms.” These choices help communicate ideas about language learning and society, and the meaning is generally clear. Some less common expressions are not used naturally or precisely: “introduces you with a new culture” and “discourse in it” are awkward in context, while “third-world countries” is an imprecise label for the point being made. “Global language” also does not quite match the broader discussion of foreign languages. Aim for more accurate collocations and neutral, specific wording. For example, describe how language learning “exposes you to” another culture and refer to “developing countries” only where that distinction is relevant.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a concessive opening (“While some people believe…”) and a conditional phrase (“even if you were to stay…”). Most sentences remain understandable, but some grammatical errors and sentence-boundary problems persist. In “it introduces you with a new culture,” the verb pattern is incorrect; write “it introduces you to” or “it exposes you to.” “Thus making it a useless skill…” is a fragment and should be joined to the preceding sentence or rewritten as a complete sentence. In “doing so is unlikely possible,” the construction is not grammatical; use “it is unlikely to be possible.” Review verb patterns and ensure each sentence has a complete main clause. More consistently accurate complex sentences would strengthen control.

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