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)

Around the world, students ranging from grade 1 to 10 have few months off in summer that is considered as vacations. It is crucial for students to have some time off so they can rest and bond with their family but schools being closed for a longer period of time could disrupt the routine of children.

There is a huge importance of summer holidays, especially giving students enough break in which they can recharge themselves without the pressure of academic setting. This free time allows them to have fun through different activities like going to playground more often, going to arcade or even waterparks. It also enables them to spend time with their family and friends. Many families also take these summer holidays as an opportunity to go on a trip. For instance, many families go to Disneyland with their children in summer holidays as students are busy all year around.

Meanwhile, few drawbacks of long summer holidays could be that it can breakdown the discipline of the youngsters which is why many people favor shorter holidays. Although breaks are imperative, but the cycle of studies could be disrupted afterwards if holidays continue for much longer period. Students who go to school after vacations are less interested in studies and spend their time in adjusting themselves back to school life. For instance, a study showed that a major percentage of students don't want to go back to school after longer break.

In conclusion, summer holidays are necessary for students to enjoy themselves without stress of studies, but shorter holidays are much more preferrable so that children do not lose track of their path.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you provide examples like Disneyland or the difficulty of readjusting to school, these points could be expanded with more depth or analysis to reach a higher band. The response is balanced, but the arguments remain at a surface level, which is characteristic of a Band 6.0 performance. To improve, ensure that each main point is supported by a more detailed explanation or a more sophisticated example.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, each with a clear focus. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Meanwhile', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' to link ideas. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel slightly abrupt. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure could benefit from more varied linking words to improve the logical progression. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the central ideas are easy to follow, which aligns well with the Band 6.0 criteria.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, such as 'imperative', 'disrupt', and 'recharge'. There are some instances of slightly awkward phrasing, such as 'breakdown the discipline' (should be 'break down' or 'erode discipline') and 'preferrable' (spelling error). While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the precision is inconsistent. The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate your meaning clearly, but it lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for higher bands. Focusing on collocations and more precise word choices will help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'few months off in summer that is considered as vacations' (subject-verb agreement and article usage) and 'Although breaks are imperative, but...' (redundant conjunctions). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and avoiding redundant structures. Increasing the variety of complex sentence forms while maintaining accuracy will help you reach a higher band.

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