Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-08

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, schools have a long summer vacation of two months or more. Some people believe that these long holidays are useful, while others prefer shorter school breaks. This essay will discuss the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones.

Long school holidays have several advantages. Firstly, students need enough time to relax after studying for many months. A long break can reduce stress and help them return to school feeling fresh and motivated. Secondly, students can spend more time with their families, travel to different places or develop hobbies. For example, children can learn activities such as cooking, swimming or playing a musical instrument during the summer break.

However, shorter holidays can also be beneficial. The main advantage is that students can maintain their study habits. After a very long break, some students may forget what they have learned and need extra time to revise old topics when school starts again. Shorter breaks can help students remember their lessons and continue learning regularly. In addition, shorter holidays may be more convenient for working parents because they may find it difficult to look after their children for two or three months.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to relax, spend time with family and enjoy other activities. However, shorter holidays can help students maintain their academic progress and reduce problems for working parents. In my opinion, a balanced school calendar with several shorter breaks and one longer holiday would be the best option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. However, the development is somewhat limited; while the points are logical, they could be extended further with more specific examples or deeper analysis. For instance, the argument regarding 'working parents' is a strong point but remains brief. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand on the implications of your points, providing a more detailed exploration of the societal or educational impacts mentioned.

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 theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In addition' effectively to link your points. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is smooth. The structure is clear and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'motivated', 'academic progress', and 'balanced school calendar'. The language is generally accurate and natural. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the 'less common' or more sophisticated lexical items that would elevate the response to a higher band. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations or academic synonyms to express your ideas with greater nuance rather than relying on common, everyday phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is generally strong, and there are very few errors, most of which do not impede communication. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'After a very long break, some students may forget what they have learned and need extra time to revise old topics when school starts again.' The punctuation is accurate throughout. To achieve a higher score, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as inversion or more sophisticated conditional clauses.

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