Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-21

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that physical education classes are an important part of a child's education. Others believe that it is more important to focus on academics during school time.

Discuss both these views, and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The role of physical education in schools is a subject of debate. While some argue that time should be devoted to academic subjects, others believe that PE classes are essential for a child’s overall development. I believe that both are important, but physical education should not be ignored because it contributes significantly to health and social skil.

Those who prioritize academics argue that school time is limited and should be used to prepare children for exams and future careers. Subjects like maths, science, and languages are directly linked to university admission and job opportunities. With increasing competition, parents and schools feel pressure to maximize study hours. They claim that spending too much time on sports or PE can distract students and reduce academic performance. For these people, academic success is the main goal of education.

However, others believe physical education is a vital part of a child's development. Firstly, regular exercise helps prevent childhood obesity and other health problems, which are becoming more common due to sedentary lifestyles and technology. Secondly, PE teaches important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, leadership, and how to cope with winning and losing. These skills are not always taught in a classroom but are crucial for success later in life. For example, playing team sports can help shy children become more confident and.

In my view, schools should provide a balance. Academic subjects are undoubtedly important for a child’s future, but neglecting physical health is short-sighted. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and students who exercise regularly often have better concentration and lower stress levels. Therefore, instead of cutting PE to add more classes, schools should integrate both. Even 3-4 PE sessions per week can make a big difference without harming academic progress.

In conclusion, while academic achievement is important, I believe physical education plays an equally important role in developing healthy and well-rounded children. A balanced curriculum that includes both is the best approach for school.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You clearly discuss both perspectives—the focus on academic subjects and the importance of physical education—and provide a well-reasoned personal opinion. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of childhood obesity and the development of life skills like teamwork and leadership. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the link between physical activity and academic performance with more specific evidence or a more nuanced exploration of how schools can practically integrate both.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'While', 'However', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. The transition between paragraphs is smooth, and the structure is coherent. One minor issue is the incomplete sentence at the end of the third paragraph ('...become more confident and.'), which disrupts the flow slightly. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate, and the logical flow of arguments is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'sedentary lifestyles', 'well-rounded children', and 'short-sighted' show a good command of language. There is an awareness of style and collocation, though there is a minor spelling error ('skil' instead of 'skill'). While the vocabulary is effective and appropriate for the task, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items would elevate the response further. The current range is adequate for clear communication and allows for the expression of complex ideas without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are error-free, and your control over grammar and punctuation is generally strong. There are a few minor slips, such as the incomplete sentence at the end of the third paragraph, which is a grammatical error that slightly impacts the clarity of that specific point. However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede overall communication. Your use of complex structures, such as conditional or concessive clauses, is generally accurate and contributes to the overall quality of the writing.

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