Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-03

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 schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays. What is the value of long school holidays? What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?

In many parts of the world, schools provide students with long summer holidays lasting two months or more. While these extended breaks offer several educational and personal benefits, some people argue that shorter holidays would better support children's academic progress. This essay will discuss both perspectives.

One of the main advantages of long school holidays is that they allow children to rest and recover after a demanding academic year. Continuous studying can be physically and mentally exhausting, particularly for younger students. A long break enables them to relax, spend quality time with their families, and participate in recreational activities that are often difficult to enjoy during the school term. In addition, many children use this time to develop hobbies, travel, or attend summer camps, all of which contribute to their personal growth, creativity, and social development. Such experiences can help them return to school feeling refreshed and more motivated to learn.

On the other hand, supporters of shorter holidays argue that lengthy breaks may negatively affect students' learning. Children often forget part of what they have learned during the previous school year, making it difficult for teachers to resume lessons efficiently. Shorter holidays would help maintain academic continuity and reduce learning loss. Furthermore, many working parents struggle to find childcare during extended school closures. A shorter holiday period would reduce this burden and allow parents to balance their professional and family responsibilities more effectively.

In conclusion, long summer holidays provide valuable opportunities for relaxation, family bonding, and personal development. However, shorter breaks may improve academic performance and reduce practical difficulties for working families. Therefore, a balanced school calendar that supports both learning and well-being would be the most effective approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified the value of long holidays, such as rest and personal development, and provided logical arguments for shorter holidays, including academic continuity and childcare support. The position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or evidence to further illustrate your points, such as mentioning how specific extracurricular activities foster particular skills or citing a general trend in educational policy regarding 'summer learning loss'. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct viewpoints. The flow is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'demanding academic year', 'academic continuity', and 'professional and family responsibilities' show a solid command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and naturally. While the range is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items could elevate the score further. However, the current level is well-suited for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of subordinate clauses ('While these extended breaks offer...', '...making it difficult for teachers to...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There is a strong control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. The writing is fluent and easy to follow, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence. There are no significant errors that distract the reader or affect the clarity of your arguments.

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