Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The growing trend of school holidays has increasingly noticeable in recent years. This essay will discuss why longer academic holidays can be valuable for children and how shorter holidays can be favourable. In my view, longer school vacations allow students to learn some skills which will be advantageous for future life. One of the main reason is that it allow youngsters to learn appropriate skills which give them benefits in the manner of discipline and managment. This is largely because learn some skill continuosly for two months makes person discipline which proves helpful in daily school life. It shape students mindset and increase their creativity to manage all things in appropriate way . Regarding the second question, I believe that shorter school holidays can be beneficial for working parents because shorter holidays make it easier for them to manage their working life and children schedule. For example, they have full time job, so it is hard for them to look down their children whole day. Moreover , shorter holidays allow students to stay connect with their teachers which develop better creativity in them by daily schools activities . As a result, t they become more consistent with learning which allow them to grow in study to some extent. Therefore, shorter holidays are useful for relaxation or just to come out of hectic routine without disturbing the parents working life. In conclusion, longer and shorter holidays benefited children in their own way . To sum up, i strongly belive that holidays is beneficial either longer or shorter it make students more creative in learning which can be helpful for both practical and academic life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions and give a relevant overall view: longer holidays can help children develop skills, while shorter breaks may suit working parents and maintain learning continuity. However, the discussion is only partly developed. The value of long holidays is explained mainly through discipline and creativity, without clarifying what activities or experiences during the break build these qualities. The case for shorter holidays has a more specific reason—parents’ work schedules—but the point about staying connected with teachers is asserted rather than supported with an example. Your conclusion says both arrangements are beneficial, but does not clearly weigh their value or sharpen your position. Develop each main idea with a clear explanation and a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph on longer holidays, a paragraph on shorter holidays, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “Regarding the second question,” “Moreover,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the two parts of the task. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from skill development to discipline and creativity without showing how these points connect. Some linking is mechanical or imprecise, and the final sentence of the shorter-holiday paragraph introduces relaxation without clearly relating it to the argument. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, as in “which develop better creativity in them.” Use clearer links between claim, explanation, and example, and ensure each sentence advances its paragraph’s main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “academic holidays,” “working parents,” “consistent with learning,” and “hectic routine.” These choices show an attempt to discuss education and family responsibilities, but control of word choice, collocation, and spelling is uneven and sometimes makes the meaning less clear. For example, “look down their children” does not express the intended idea of supervising or caring for them, while “stay connect with their teachers” is an inaccurate phrase. There are also spelling errors such as “managment,” “continuosly,” and “belive.” Aim for precise, natural combinations and check spelling carefully; this will make your ideas easier to understand and give you more flexibility in expressing them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a reason clause beginning “This is largely because” and a sentence explaining the effect of shorter holidays. However, the range is limited in practice, and errors occur frequently enough to sometimes make the reader work to understand the meaning. Examples include “One of the main reason is,” “it allow youngsters,” and “This essay will discuss why longer academic holidays can be valuable,” where agreement or sentence construction needs attention. The conclusion also contains several errors in “holidays benefited children” and “holidays is beneficial.” Practise subject–verb agreement, singular and plural forms, and complete sentence patterns. After drafting, check each sentence for a clear subject and a verb that agrees with it.

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