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 several nations all over the globe, primary and secondary students are granted summer holidays for usually two months or even more. This long duration is quite significant for students as they relax and enjoy themselves without any academic stress. There are also few claims that prefer these summer breaks to be reduced because long holidays can be sometimes boring and a waste of time.

Almost all the students await the summer holidays because during this long period they can indulge in different activities that require a longer time to complete such as doing an internship or learning a useful skill. Thus, a longer summer break is extremely beneficial as one could spend time doing these things, which need a great time investment to be achieved. Along with this, longer summer vacations also provide a chance to most of the students to plan a long trip, which they weren't able to make during school days. In addition, by going on long trips children get quality time to spend with their loved ones, which is important in the betterment of mental health of the young students.

Conversely, some statements in the favor of shorter summer vacations also exists. This contradicting view is backed up by numerous reasons which are also a bit concerning. Some arguments suggest that longer summer breaks could sometimes result in boredom as many students have nothing to do, and they eventually start to feel awful due to their daily routine. Another claim is that the students might also start missing their school life and friends, which makes these vacations tiring for some individuals. Lastly, shorter vacations are also considered to be better because some arguments also state that by giving less off days to students there is a low risk of academic deterioration and loss of interest for studies, and it will also be easier for them to restart their new semesters with much ease.

In conclusion, vacations is a time period that ought to be enjoyed irrespective of its duration. Although longer holidays can be utilized to become a part of recreational activities, a shorter break can be much more fun with less chances of getting frustrated by the daily schedule.

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 ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. For instance, the mention of internships and family trips provides concrete examples of the benefits of long breaks. The arguments for shorter holidays, such as preventing academic regression and boredom, are also clearly presented. However, the position could be more explicitly stated in the introduction to guide the reader more effectively. Overall, the response covers all requirements of the task well, providing a balanced view that meets the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is handled smoothly using the cohesive device 'Conversely'. The use of linking words such as 'Thus', 'In addition', and 'Lastly' helps to guide the reader through the argument. While the paragraphing is effective, some of the cohesive devices are slightly repetitive or mechanical. Nevertheless, the overall structure is clear, and the information is presented in a logical sequence, which is consistent with the Band 7.0 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some flexibility. Phrases like 'academic deterioration', 'recreational activities', and 'indulge in different activities' show an attempt to use less common lexical items. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in collocation and word choice, such as 'some statements in the favor of' (should be 'arguments in favor of') and 'less chances' (should be 'fewer chances'). Despite these occasional errors, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly, justifying a Band 6.5 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and complex sentences are attempted, such as 'Although longer holidays can be utilized to become a part of recreational activities, a shorter break can be much more fun'. However, there are some persistent errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'some statements... exists') and minor punctuation or article slips. These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the essay from reaching the higher bands where error-free sentences are more frequent. The control is solid, fitting the Band 6.5 criteria.

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