Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-11

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 numerous nations, primary and secondary school students enjoy an extended summer break lasting two months or longer. While these lengthy holidays provide students with essential time to rest and pursue non-academic interests, shorter breaks are often supported because they prevent learning loss and assist working parents with daily routines.

On the one hand, long summer holidays hold significant value for students' overall development and well-being. Primary among these benefits is mental and physical recovery. After an intense academic year filled with examinations and coursework, a long break allows children to recharge, reducing stress and preventing burnout. Furthermore, extended holidays give students the freedom to explore passions outside the school curriculum, such as joining sports camps, traveling with family, or learning practical life skills like swimming or music. For example, many teenagers use this uninterrupted time to take up part-time jobs or volunteer work, which builds real-world independence and character in ways that traditional classroom learning cannot.

On the other hand, there are compelling arguments in favor of shortening the summer vacation. The most prominent concern is the concept of "summer learning loss," where students forget key concepts in subjects like mathematics and languages over a prolonged period of inactivity. Consequently, teachers often have to spend the first few weeks of the new academic year reviewing old material rather than teaching new topics. Additionally, long holidays create significant logistical and financial strain for working parents, who must arrange and pay for two full months of childcare or camps while they are at work. Shorter, more frequent breaks spread throughout the year would solve this issue while maintaining a consistent learning momentum.

In conclusion, while lengthy summer breaks offer children crucial time for relaxation and personal growth, shorter holidays help maintain academic progress and ease the burden on working families. Therefore, balancing long breaks with structured educational activities or adopting a year-round school calendar with shorter vacations could offer the best outcome for both students and parents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified the value of long holidays (mental recovery, personal development) and the arguments for shorter ones (preventing learning loss, parental convenience). 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 challenges for working parents. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points while offering a balanced perspective. The response is well-focused and meets all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the two main body paragraphs is smooth, using 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand' effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', and 'Additionally' are used naturally to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall flow of the argument is easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'uninterrupted time', 'logistical and financial strain', and 'maintaining a consistent learning momentum' are sophisticated and contextually appropriate. There is a good awareness of collocation and style, and the vocabulary is used with natural control. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is consistently academic and precise throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While these lengthy holidays provide...', '...where students forget key concepts...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used accurately to enhance clarity. There is a high level of control over tense and agreement, and the writing is consistently accurate. The variety of structures used contributes to the fluency of the response, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication.

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