Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-24

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 many countries, primary and secondary school students have summer holidays that last for two months or even longer. While these long breaks have several advantages, some people believe that shorter holidays would be more beneficial. This essay will discuss both views.

On the one hand, long school holidays give students enough time to rest after a busy school year. These activities help students reduce stress and improve their physical and mental health. Moreover, long holidays provide opportunities to learn new skills through summer camps, sports, volunteer work, or part-time jobs.

On the other hand, there are several reasons why shorter school holidays may be a better option. One important reason is that students often forget some of the knowledge they have learned after staying away from school for a long time. As a result, teachers need to spend extra time reviewing old lessons instead of introducing new topics. In addition, long holidays can create difficulties for working parents who need to find childcare. Shorter holidays spread throughout the year could make it easier for families to manage their schedules while allowing students to maintain their study habits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the development of ideas. While the points made—such as stress reduction and the 'summer slide' in academic knowledge—are relevant, they are presented in a very brief manner. To achieve a higher band, you must expand on your arguments with specific examples, personal anecdotes, or more detailed explanations to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive discussion of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction and distinct paragraphs for each side of the argument. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In addition' to transition between ideas. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. To improve, you should aim to use a wider range of cohesive devices and ensure that the links between sentences are more sophisticated. Currently, the structure is functional but somewhat mechanical due to the brevity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'summer camps,' 'volunteer work,' and 'study habits.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is little evidence of less common or more sophisticated lexical items. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary and collocations related to education and social issues. For example, instead of 'help students,' you could use 'facilitate student development' or 'alleviate academic pressure.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and you demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are no major errors that impede meaning. However, the range of structures is somewhat restricted. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences, passive voice, or relative clauses, to demonstrate more control over your writing. Ensure that your sentence variety is consistent throughout the essay to show a higher level of linguistic flexibility.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.