Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)
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.
In conclusion, although long summer holidays are valuable because they allow students to relax and gain new experiences, I believe that slightly shorter holidays would be more beneficial.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The essay addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the response is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement at 216 words. This lack of length prevents the full development of ideas. While the arguments are relevant, they are presented in a somewhat skeletal manner. For instance, the point about 'working parents' is a good observation but lacks specific examples or further elaboration to reach a higher band. To improve, you must expand on your points with concrete examples or deeper analysis to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more thorough exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. The progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two sides of the argument. To move to a higher band, you could incorporate a wider range of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between sentences is more sophisticated, rather than relying on standard list-like connectors.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'physical and mental health', 'study habits', and 'childcare'. However, the range is somewhat limited and lacks the 'less common' lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. The language is functional but rarely moves beyond standard, expected collocations. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary or idiomatic expressions that fit the context of educational policy and student development.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'While these long breaks have several advantages, some people believe that...' and 'As a result, teachers need to spend extra time...'. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The sentences are clear and easy to read. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to include a greater variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice constructions, to demonstrate more flexibility in your writing.
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