Task 2 · · 18 samples

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Explain how difficulty following informal conversations, humour or local customs can make it harder to form friendships and feel included.
  • Show how language barriers can affect access to essential services, including healthcare, housing and employment.
  • Acknowledge that interpreters and language classes can help, while explaining why they may not remove immediate difficulties.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the issue and state a clear degree of agreement.
  2. Develop social consequences in one focused paragraph, using a concrete everyday example.
  3. Explain practical consequences in a separate paragraph and connect each example to its potential impact.
  4. Recognise possible support, then explain its limits.
  5. Conclude by restating the position and summarising the two main categories of problems.
Useful vocabulary & examples
a weaker sense of belonging
a reduced feeling of being accepted as part of a community

Being unable to follow group conversations may give newcomers a weaker sense of belonging.

essential services
important services people need, such as healthcare or housing support

Language barriers can make it harder to access essential services.

misunderstand official instructions
interpret guidance from an organisation or authority incorrectly

A person may misunderstand official instructions when completing a form in a second language.

translation services
professional or organised help converting spoken or written information into another language

Translation services can help patients explain their symptoms to medical staff.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

343 words · Illustrative target band

Nowadays, people are keen to explore and live in foreign countries for multiple purposes. Surviving in a country where none of the globally accepted languages are used can be extremely difficult and can cause social and practical problems. I completely agree with this fact and will try to elaborate on it in the essay. To begin, conversations and important daily tasks may become difficult when a newcomer cannot unders…

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AI-completed learning example

324 words · Illustrative target band

One of the biggest social and practical challenges that people living abroad face is the language barrier. I believe that this can lead to very serious social problems in many countries but technology has made the practical issues less relevant over the last several decades. The main reason that having to speak a foreign language can cause social difficulty is that meaningful interaction requires understanding tone a…

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AI-completed learning example

342 words · Illustrative target band

In today’s world of globalization, it is increasingly common for people to live in countries where they have to speak a foreign language. Some argue that this can cause severe social and practical issues. I completely agree with this statement and in this essay, I will discuss the reasons for this and provide examples to support my view. Limited language skills can make it hard to participate confidently or understan…

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