Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10

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 8.0)

In many countries, schools close for two months or more during summer, giving students an extended break from their academic responsibilities. While such lengthy holidays offer several important benefits, I believe that shorter school holidays would be more advantageous overall, provided that students are given sufficient opportunities to rest and engage in recreational activities.

Long summer holidays are valuable primarily because they allow children to recover from the demands of a prolonged academic year. Continuous studying, examinations and extracurricular activities can be mentally exhausting, and an extended break gives students an opportunity to relax and return to school feeling refreshed. Moreover, lengthy holidays enable families to spend meaningful time together and allow children to participate in activities that are difficult to pursue during term time, such as travelling, sports or learning practical skills. For example, children may use the summer break to visit relatives or explore different cultures, experiences that can contribute to their social and personal development.

Nevertheless, there are compelling arguments for shortening school holidays. The most significant concern is that students may forget a considerable amount of what they have learned during a prolonged absence from the classroom. This is particularly problematic for younger children, who may require substantial revision before they can resume their studies effectively. Shorter breaks, combined with several shorter holidays throughout the year, could help students retain academic knowledge and maintain a consistent learning routine. Furthermore, this arrangement may be more convenient for working parents, who often struggle to find suitable childcare during lengthy school closures.

In conclusion, although long summer holidays provide children with valuable opportunities for rest, family time and personal development, shorter and more evenly distributed breaks would, in my view, create a better balance between education and recreation. Such an approach could improve academic continuity while still ensuring that students have adequate time to relax.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified the value of long holidays, such as mental recovery and family bonding, and provided logical arguments for shorter holidays, including academic retention and childcare convenience. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of travel and cultural exploration. The structure is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points. To reach a higher band, you could further expand on the 'shorter holidays' argument by discussing the potential impact on teacher workload or curriculum pacing, which would add even more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is smooth, using effective signposting like 'Nevertheless' and 'Furthermore'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The flow of information is seamless, and the referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic context. Phrases such as 'academic responsibilities', 'compelling arguments', 'academic continuity', and 'evenly distributed' show a high level of control. The word choices are precise and contribute to a sophisticated tone. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. To push towards a higher band, you could incorporate more idiomatic or less common collocations, though your current usage is already highly effective and natural for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'provided that students are given...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a variety of sentence lengths and types, which keeps the writing engaging and professional. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The accuracy is consistent throughout, reflecting a high level of proficiency in English grammar.

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