Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you think this is a positive or negative social development?
Sample Response
There are thousands of languages being spoken in many regions around the globe. However, perhaps in a foreseeable future, only one common language will exist as a means of communication in the human world. In my opinion, this development, despite being the facilitation of international communication, is a detriment to our diversity as a species.
If we all spoke the same language, it would be the bridge to harmony and understanding between different cultures and countries. It would eliminate the key hurdle that keeps a group of people away from others because we all have a sense of familiarity in language. We can therefore comprehend more profoundly different cultures that used to be somewhat misinterpreted due to a linguistic barrier.
Nevertheless, if there were one common language, a part of a country’s core identity would be sacrificed. Language not only is the way people living in the same society communicate but also symbolizes their origins and defining characters. Vietnamese people, for example, have been known for their heroism and patriotism through words of their anthems. Or everyone thinks of France as a land of romance because French is a language of love.
Cultural diversity and historical values would also be put at stake as a consequence of this trend. Dialects in any part of a country carries unique stories and lessons of the past which are closely linked to religions, beliefs, and lifestyles. And a world that uses only one language would be the ground for the likely sad disappearance of those precious aspects of life.
In conclusion, I feel this global linguistic change is a major threat to human identity, culture and history although, to some point, it does help ease language barriers.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use definite article Original: a Suggested revision: the Why it matters: This established future period takes the definite article.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: despite being the facilitation of international communication Suggested revision: despite facilitating international communication Why it matters: The verb form expresses the concession more naturally and precisely.
- 3. Correct the article Original: the Suggested revision: a Why it matters: The metaphor introduces one possible bridge, so the indefinite article is appropriate.
- 4. Clarify the relationship Original: keeps a group of people away from others Suggested revision: separates one group of people from another Why it matters: This wording states the effect of the language barrier more directly.
- 5. Fix the collocation Original: a sense of familiarity in language Suggested revision: a shared familiarity with the language Why it matters: Familiarity normally takes the preposition with in this meaning.
- 6. Improve word order Original: comprehend more profoundly different cultures Suggested revision: gain a deeper understanding of different cultures Why it matters: The revision uses a natural collocation and removes the awkward adverb placement.
- 7. Place adverb correctly Original: Language not only is Suggested revision: Language is not only Why it matters: Not only should follow the finite verb in this clause.
- 8. Choose the right noun Original: characters Suggested revision: characteristics Why it matters: Characteristics refers to distinctive qualities, whereas characters is inaccurate here.
- 9. Add the article Original: through words of their anthems Suggested revision: through the words of their anthems Why it matters: The specific words contained in the anthems require the definite article.
- 10. Fix subject agreement Original: carries Suggested revision: carry Why it matters: The plural subject Dialects requires the plural verb carry.
- 11. Use precise wording Original: would be the ground for Suggested revision: would create the conditions for Why it matters: This phrase expresses the causal relationship more naturally.
- 12. Fix the expression Original: point Suggested revision: extent Why it matters: To some extent is the standard expression for a limited degree.
Suggested Rewrites
- a the
- despite being the facilitation of international communication despite facilitating international communication
- the a
- keeps a group of people away from others separates one group of people from another
- a sense of familiarity in language a shared familiarity with the language
- comprehend more profoundly different cultures gain a deeper understanding of different cultures
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response presents a clear, consistent position and develops a coherent case around identity, culture, and history, while also acknowledging the main benefit of a shared language. Its main limitation is that several supporting claims and examples remain broad or somewhat stereotypical, and occasional awkward grammar reduces polish. The highest-priority improvement is to develop fewer arguments with more precise causal explanation and well-chosen evidence.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear negative position is maintained, and the main benefits and harms are relevant and generally developed.
Explain the causal link between language loss and each claimed cultural consequence more precisely, using less generalised examples.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clear paragraphs, with effective overall sequencing and referencing.
Integrate the final cultural point more smoothly with the identity argument and avoid sentence-opening linkers that feel abrupt.
Lexical Resource
The response uses a varied, topic-appropriate vocabulary, although several collocations and word choices are imprecise.
Replace awkward phrases such as broad characterisations of nations with more exact, natural academic wording.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A good range of complex structures is used, but agreement, word order, and occasional sentence-fragment errors recur.
Check subject-verb agreement and the placement of paired structures such as 'not only ... but also' during proofreading.
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
Scientists say that in the future humanity will speak the same language. Do you think this is a positive or negative social development?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.