Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-28

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 7.5)

There is a difference in the length of breaks during the academic year in schools in different countries. While some schools have more terms and shorter holidays, others have fewer, longer holidays. I will discuss some pros and cons of each case in this essay.

Firstly, longer breaks allow both students and teachers to take their minds off school and get some much needed rest after the long term. During this period, they are able to spend more time with their families and friends. Students are also able to get jobs during the summer, giving them much needed pocket money, which lightens the load on their parents. This enables them to be refreshed and rejuvenated before going back to school which increases their motivation during the term. Although they might be a bit rusty academically and might need more time to go back to normal, they are better suited to take on the long term ahead which reinforces the need for longer breaks.

Although long holidays are beneficial to both students and teachers, shorter breaks allow students to focus on school and minimize distractions during the academic year as school should be their main priority. Shorter breaks also allow teachers to be employed for most of the year as they lose pay during long holidays. For instance, a teacher that loses 2-3 months of pay during the summer will be set further back financially than a teacher that loses 2-3 weeks of pay every few months. This supports the notion that shorter breaks are better.

In conclusion, longer holidays are beneficial to the physical and mental health of both students and teachers but negatively affect teachers' employment, while shorter holidays help students minimize distractions from school and maintain employment for teachers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented. However, the development is somewhat limited; for instance, the point about teachers' pay is a strong argument, but it could have been expanded with more nuance regarding the educational benefits of shorter terms (e.g., better retention of knowledge). The position is clear throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, ensure that each argument is supported by more detailed explanation or specific examples to fully develop the ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Although', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between the two body paragraphs could be smoother to better highlight the contrast between the two perspectives. The referencing is generally clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of ideas is consistent, making the essay easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some good collocations like 'refreshed and rejuvenated' and 'minimize distractions'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing such as 'get jobs' or 'set further back'. To improve, try incorporating more precise academic vocabulary related to education and economics. For example, instead of 'get jobs', you could use 'seek part-time employment' or 'gain professional experience'. The word choice is generally accurate, and there are no spelling errors that impede understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although they might be a bit rusty academically and might need more time to go back to normal, they are better suited to take on the long term ahead'. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally correct. The control over sentence structure is good, though a wider variety of complex structures (such as conditional clauses or passive voice) would enhance the range. Overall, the grammar is accurate and does not hinder communication.

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