Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

The practice of closing schools for two months during summer is a deeply rooted educational tradition. While extended breaks offer invaluable opportunities for mental rest and personal development, shortening these holidays can significantly prevent learning loss and better support modern working families.

On the one hand, long summer holidays provide essential benefits for a child's holistic growth and psychological well-being. Months away from the classroom allow students to fully decompress from academic pressure, reducing burnout and stress. Furthermore, this extended free time offers a rare window for non-formal learning experiences that structured school schedules cannot accommodate. For example, children can attend specialized summer camps, travel to experience new cultures, or develop unique hobbies like sports and arts. These practical experiences foster independence and social skills that are just as vital as formal academics.

On the other hand, compelling arguments support a condensed holiday model. Prolonged absences from school often lead to "summer learning loss," where students forget foundational literacy and math skills, forcing teachers to spend the first weeks of the new term doing repetitive review. Additionally, long breaks place an immense logistical and financial burden on working parents, who must secure expensive childcare or adjust their employment hours. Shorter, more frequent breaks throughout the academic year would create a more consistent learning rhythm and ease the constant pressure on family schedules.

In conclusion, both educational structures offer distinct advantages for modern youth. Long summer holidays remain highly valuable for personal exploration and rest, whereas shorter breaks protect academic retention and alleviate domestic stress for working parents. Ultimately, a balanced school calendar that distributes vacation time more evenly is the most effective approach for contemporary education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the value of long holidays (psychological well-being, non-formal learning) and the arguments for shorter ones (preventing learning loss, supporting working parents). The position is consistent throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of 'summer learning loss' and the logistical burden on parents. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points, offering a balanced perspective. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt without any omissions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the two sides of the argument is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words like 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'Ultimately' helps to guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, ensuring the text is easy to follow and coherent throughout.

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 'deeply rooted educational tradition', 'holistic growth', 'logistical and financial burden', and 'academic retention' show a high level of precision and sophistication. The vocabulary is used naturally, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. You successfully use less common items to convey your ideas with clarity and precision, which is characteristic of a high-band response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For instance, the use of participial phrases ('forcing teachers to spend...') and subordinate clauses ('where students forget...') is handled accurately. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall control of language is highly consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.