Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-01

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 4.0)

Language has become a major global concern, and many people believe that learning foreign language is necessary in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. However, others agrue that these are not only reasons to learn foreign language. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe learning foreign language is not only reason to travel and work in foreign country.

On the one hand, the language plays a vital role in

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies both views and signals a personal position: you say language learning is not only for travel and work. However, the response stops after the unfinished phrase “On the one hand, the language plays a vital role in,” so neither view is actually discussed and your opinion is not explained or supported with reasons or examples. The task requires a discussion of both perspectives and a developed conclusion; these parts are absent. The response contains 66 words, which is 184 words below the 250-word minimum, and 11 words copied from the prompt were excluded from that count. To improve, complete each main point with an explanation and a relevant example, then state your view clearly in a conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: the introduction presents the topic, previews a discussion, and the phrase “On the one hand” signals the start of a body paragraph. This gives the reader an initial sense of direction. However, the essay ends mid-sentence, so there is no progression of ideas, second viewpoint, or conclusion, and the promised discussion is not carried through. The linking phrase “However” appropriately introduces a contrast, but the very short response provides too little evidence of cohesive development or paragraphing. Build a complete structure with separate paragraphs for each view, use clear links between supporting reasons and examples, and finish with a conclusion that returns to your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant topic vocabulary, including “global concern,” “foreign language,” “travel,” and “work,” and phrases such as “both perspectives” show an attempt to express the task in an academic register. However, the range is narrow because the response is very short, and some word choices or forms are inaccurate: “agrue” is misspelled, while “learning foreign language” and “not only reason” are missing necessary determiners. The phrase “major global concern” is also broad and does not add a precise idea. Develop vocabulary for the benefits and purposes of language learning, such as cultural understanding, communication, and education, and check spelling and natural collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You show some control of sentence construction in the opening, including a complex contrast introduced by “However” and the purpose clause “in order to travel to or work in a foreign country.” The sentence “This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why…” also attempts to combine ideas effectively. However, the sample is too limited to demonstrate a broad range, and article use is inconsistent: write “learning a foreign language” and “not the only reason.” The final line, “On the one hand, the language plays a vital role in,” is incomplete and has no main idea after the preposition, leaving the sentence unfinished. Practise checking articles and ensure every sentence is complete, with a clear subject and finished clause.

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