Some people think that it is important to have a single language as the international official language. Others think that it will make it difficult to identify countries and would cause a loss of cultural identity of countries. Which viewpoint do you agree with?
Sample Response
In today's interconnected world, communication between people of different cultures and languages has become increasingly important. However, there is debate over whether or not there should be a single international official language. While some argue that having a single language would facilitate communication and enhance globalization, others believe that it would lead to a loss of cultural identity and make it difficult to identify countries. I agree with the latter viewpoint.
Those who advocate for a single international language argue that it would make communication easier and more efficient, leading to greater globalization and economic growth. This would be particularly true for international business and trade. Additionally, it would eliminate the need for translation services and language barriers, which would in turn reduce costs and time. Furthermore, it would promote understanding and mutual respect between different cultures, as people would be able to communicate and exchange ideas more freely.
On the other hand, others argue that having a single international language would lead to a loss of cultural identity and diversity. Language is not just a means of communication but also a key component of culture and identity. If a single language were to dominate, it would suppress the unique identities and cultural traditions of different countries. Furthermore, it could potentially lead to linguistic discrimination and inequality, as those who do not speak the international language would be at a disadvantage in terms of job opportunities and access to information.
In my opinion, while having a single international language would facilitate communication and globalization, it is more important to preserve the unique cultural identities of different countries. A country's language is deeply intertwined with its culture, history, and traditions, and if we use a single international language everywhere, on the global stage, many cultural aspects would disappear.
All things considered, we do not need a single international language to dominate the world as without language diversity, the world would be a less interesting and vibrant place. Therefore, instead of promoting a single international language, we should encourage the learning and preservation of different languages and cultures.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add the indefinite article Original: there is debate Suggested revision: there is a debate Why it matters: The singular countable noun 'debate' requires an article here.
- 2. Use the concise conjunction Original: whether or not Suggested revision: whether Why it matters: 'Whether' alone expresses the alternatives clearly in this clause.
- 3. Use the plural-group preposition Original: between Suggested revision: among Why it matters: 'Among' is more appropriate when referring to relationships involving multiple cultures.
- 4. Avoid the repeated contrast Original: others Suggested revision: opponents Why it matters: Naming the opposing group avoids repeating 'others' immediately after the contrast marker.
- 5. Remove redundant possibility Original: could potentially lead Suggested revision: could lead Why it matters: 'Could' already expresses possibility, so 'potentially' is redundant.
- 6. Use a direct construction Original: at a disadvantage in terms of job opportunities and access to information Suggested revision: disadvantaged in accessing job opportunities and information Why it matters: The replacement states the practical disadvantage more directly and concisely.
- 7. Avoid repeated difference wording Original: unique cultural identities of different countries Suggested revision: distinct cultural identities of individual countries Why it matters: The revision avoids using both 'unique' and 'different' to express the same distinction.
- 8. Remove the redundant phrase Original: everywhere, on the global stage, Suggested revision: globally, Why it matters: 'Everywhere' and 'on the global stage' duplicate the same idea and disrupt the clause with unnecessary commas.
- 9. Use a natural noun phrase Original: many cultural aspects would disappear Suggested revision: many aspects of culture would disappear Why it matters: 'Aspects of culture' is the more natural collocation.
- 10. Use a causal connector Original: as Suggested revision: because Why it matters: 'Because' clearly introduces the reason the world would be less vibrant.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: Additionally, it would eliminate the need for translation services and language barriers, which would in turn reduce costs and time. Suggested revision: Additionally, it would reduce the need for translation services and eliminate language barriers, which would in turn save time and reduce costs. Why it matters: The rewrite fixes the faulty coordination and uses natural collocations for time and cost savings.
Suggested Rewrites
- there is debate there is a debate
- whether or not whether
- between among
- others opponents
- could potentially lead could lead
- at a disadvantage in terms of job opportunities and access to information disadvantaged in accessing job opportunities and information
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response’s strongest feature is its balanced, well-developed comparison of communicative benefits with risks to cultural identity, followed by a clear and consistently maintained preference for linguistic diversity. Its main limitation is slight repetition of the cultural-preservation argument; the highest-priority improvement is to deepen the evaluation by explaining how international communication could be improved without allowing one language to displace national languages.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response fully addresses both viewpoints, maintains a clear position, and supports it with relevant economic, cultural, and equality considerations.
Propose a concrete multilingual alternative to show how global communication and cultural preservation could operate together.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through the competing view, the preferred view, personal evaluation, and a focused conclusion with effective paragraphing.
Condense the final two paragraphs slightly so the cultural-identity point is synthesised rather than repeated.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and appropriately formal, enabling nuanced discussion of globalisation, identity, discrimination, and diversity.
Vary a few repeated references to a “single international language” while preserving the essay’s strong lexical precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and flexibly, with only rare minor lapses that do not affect clarity.
Polish punctuation in the longest conditional sentence so its inserted phrase does not interrupt the grammatical flow.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people think that it is important to have a single language as the international official language. Others think that it will make it difficult to identify countries and would cause a loss of cultural identity of countries. Which viewpoint do you agree with?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.