Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays.

What is the value of long school holidays?

What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

It is the most common debate around the world that some people suggest that summer holidays could be last for atleast 2 months while other are in the favour of shorter holidays. In this essay i will discuss both prons and cons of the shorter and longer holidays.

Initially, the longer holidays can be essential for the family vocations as well as to relax the mind of the childrens who are studying in the primary and secondary school. Throughot their busy routine the teenagersare in quite stress because of the exam pressure, study burden, assignments and other activities which are essential for the school childrens. For instance if parents plan a vocation outside the country it requires alot of efforts and time for the completion of the successful trip.

On the other hand there are several disadvantages like the students who are weak in the studies or having the problem to solve the mathematical questions. So, when the school is closed for 2 to 3 months these students can feel more pressure after the break ends because they requires a lot practice and time, struggle and hardwork as well as regular monitoring from their teachers and parents to solve these problems. Longer holidays also disturb the study flow. For example if the student is weak in studies he/she will need regular assistance from their teachers and need extra time to solve the study related problems.

To sum up the above discussion it is necessary to maintain a steady state between the holidays and the educational timeperiod. So as result the problems can be solved

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions: the first body paragraph explains that long holidays allow families to travel and give students time to relax, while the next argues that shorter breaks may help students who need continued support. These are relevant points, but the value of long holidays is developed mainly through one travel example, and the case for shorter holidays focuses narrowly on weaker students and mathematics. The introduction says you will discuss the “pros and cons,” but the response does not clearly establish which benefits belong to each holiday length or develop the arguments in enough detail. The conclusion recommends a balance, yet does not explain what that balance would achieve. Extend each main idea with a clear explanation and a specific, relevant example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting contrasting views, and a concluding sentence. Transitions such as “Initially,” “On the other hand,” and “To sum up” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes repetitive: the point that struggling students need help is restated in several forms, and the final example largely repeats the preceding explanation. Some connections are also unclear, particularly the shift from family travel to students’ stress. Use topic sentences that state each paragraph’s central argument, then develop it without repeating the same point. Clearer links between reasons and examples would make the overall organisation more effective.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “exam pressure,” “assignments,” “regular monitoring,” and “study flow,” and the reader can generally understand your main ideas. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make the writing less natural. For example, “family vocations” and “plan a vocation” appear to mean family vacations, while “prons” is not the correct form of “pros.” Phrases such as “study related problems” and “successful trip” are also broad or awkward in context. Build a more precise range for discussing rest, learning continuity, and academic support, and check spelling and collocations carefully. More accurate phrasing would help express your arguments with greater clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a conditional example beginning “if parents plan…” and a sentence explaining what students may need after a break. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “summer holidays could be last,” “other are in the favour,” and “these students can feel more pressure … because they requires.” There are also problems with articles, plurals, agreement, and sentence boundaries, as in “the childrens” and the final sentence, “So as result the problems can be solved.” Practise building accurate subject–verb patterns and checking each sentence for a complete, clearly punctuated structure before adding more clauses.

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