Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-10

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 6.5)

In different states all over the world, schools close for two or more months for both primary and secondary classes in the summer vacations. Although longer school holidays provide relaxation to the students, it can also cause distractions as they are away from their academics for a long period of time.

On the one hand, the summer vacations provided to the students for 2 months or more months is considered to be the best part time of their year as it gives them a break from their hectic school schedule. It provides them the time to take part in extra-curricular activities and learn new skills outside school which are essential for their personality building. For instance, many students take part in summer camps in their long holidays where they teach students new skills like painting, baking etc through fun activities. Moreover, these extended holidays help students to unwind from their tough studies so they can come back to schools with fresher minds. This also increases their productivity.

On the other hand, the longer holidays can also become the reason for distraction for many students as they are out of touch of their studies for extended period of time. It can become very hard for students to come back to their schedule after the holidays are over. Therefore, if schools are only closed for shorter period of time, it can provide enough mental relief and can also help them to get back to studies faster. For example, in shorter holidays children don't need to revise all the lessons again because they remember everything as they were only away from school for few days. This helps them to stay on track in their studies and perform well in their exams.

In conclusion, Whilst long school holidays help students to enjoy their life outside school and learn new skills, shorter school breaks help them to stay in touch with their studies so they don't struggle when they come back.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses both questions and maintains a clear comparison: long holidays allow students to rest and develop skills, while shorter breaks may help them retain study routines. The examples of summer camps and needing less revision make the discussion relevant. However, the value of long holidays is developed more fully than the case for shorter ones, which relies mainly on staying familiar with lessons and returning to routine. Some claims, such as longer holidays increasing productivity, would benefit from a clearer explanation of how this happens. To strengthen the response, extend the shorter-holiday argument with another distinct benefit and explain the examples more precisely, while keeping the balanced position clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay is organised clearly, with an introduction, separate paragraphs presenting the two sides, and a conclusion that summarises the comparison. The progression from the benefits of long holidays to the arguments for shorter breaks is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” guide the reader effectively. Some linking is a little mechanical, and repeated references to “students” and “holidays” make parts of the discussion less fluid. The relationship between the claim that breaks improve productivity and the explanation that students return with fresher minds could also be connected more explicitly. Varying transitions and using clearer referencing would make the cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for discussing school breaks and includes relevant expressions such as “hectic school schedule,” “extra-curricular activities,” “unwind,” and “stay on track.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and attempts to use more specific language are evident. However, some word choices and collocations are awkward, including “best part time of their year,” “personality building,” and “the reason for distraction.” Repetition of “longer holidays,” “students,” and “studies” also limits flexibility. Aim for more natural academic phrasing and precise collocations—for example, describe holidays as a “welcome break” and say that students may “lose touch with their studies.” This would make the argument sound more fluent and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses with “Although,” “as,” and “because,” and the meaning remains clear throughout. Several sentences are controlled, such as the explanation that holidays let students “unwind from their tough studies so they can come back to schools with fresher minds.” Some grammatical errors remain: “the summer vacations … is considered” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “for extended period of time” and “for few days” need articles. The opening sentence also shifts from plural “holidays” to singular “it.” To improve, check agreement and articles during editing, and continue using varied sentence structures while ensuring each clause has a clear grammatical subject.

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