Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-11-02
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 4.5)
Peaple have different views wether learning a foreign language serve to different aims. Some individuals believe that learning foreign language is in order to travel or work in a foreign country, whereas others argue that these conditions are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining my own opinion. Altough there are reasonable arguments on both sides, i personally believe that work and travel are not the only reasons why someone should learn new language.
On the one hand, there are several ways why some people believe that learning a new language is just in order to work or travel in a foreign country. The main reason is that people don't have too much time to learn new language. This is because people should learn new languages juste in order to work or travel and they should cope with local habitants with their original language. For example when they travel to spanish countries in south america they can speak with local people in the streets and understand what they say. Consequently, people who don't travel or work with others from different countries they can't learn new things and stay in their place, which explains why many people supports this points of view. Therefore, it is understandable why this group of people cosider learning new foreign language just in order to travel or work to be a beneficial approach.
On the other hand, others argue these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a forein language. One major reason for this is that
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
You introduce both viewpoints and state a clear personal position: “work and travel are not the only reasons” for learning a language. The first body paragraph also gives a relevant example about communicating with local people in South America. However, the response addresses the task only partially: the second viewpoint is introduced but not explained, as the essay ends after “One major reason for this is that”. Your own opinion is therefore not supported with reasons or examples, and the discussion is substantially incomplete. The response contains 233 words, which is 17 words below the 250-word minimum; the 32 words copied from the prompt are excluded from that count. Develop both sides and complete the essay with specific supporting points.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph beginning “On the one hand”, and a second-side paragraph beginning “On the other hand”. These signposts help readers identify the intended discussion, and connectors such as “For example” and “Consequently” show attempts to link ideas. However, the progression is incomplete because the final paragraph stops mid-sentence, leaving the essay without a conclusion or a developed second argument. Within the first body paragraph, the connection between limited time, learning for travel or work, and “stay in their place” is not always clear. To improve, give each paragraph one central point, explain the link between its supporting sentences, and finish with a conclusion that restates your view.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the general subject, including “foreign language”, “local people”, “travel” and “work”. Phrases such as “different perspectives” and “beneficial approach” also show an attempt to use more formal language. However, the range is limited and several spelling or word-choice errors reduce accuracy, including “Peaple”, “wether”, “Altough”, “forein” and “cosider”. Some expressions are unnatural or imprecise, such as “local habitants” and “people supports this points of view”. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and vary repeated wording such as “learn a new language”. Proofreading spelling and choosing precise expressions will make your ideas easier to follow.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a contrast clause with “whereas” and a reason introduced by “This is because”. These structures help you express relationships between ideas. However, the range is limited, and errors occur in sentence construction, agreement, articles and punctuation. For example, “learning a foreign language serve” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “people supports this points of view” contains agreement and plural errors. The opening sentence also needs a question-related clause structure, and “For example when” needs punctuation after the introductory phrase. Practise checking subject–verb agreement, singular and plural forms, and article use, then build a wider range of accurate complex sentences.
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