Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12

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 6.0)

In many countries, schools have a long summer holiday of two months or more. In my opinion, long holidays are useful for students, although shorter holidays can also have benefits.

There are several advantages of having a long school holiday. First, students need time to rest after studying for many months. A long break can reduce stress and help them return to school refreshed. Second, students can spend more time with their families and take part in useful activities. For example, they can travel, play sports, read books or learn a new skill. These activities can improve their social skills.

However, shorter school holidays also have some advantages. If students stay away from school for too long, they may forget some information they learned during the school year. As a result, teachers may need to spend extra time reviewing lessons when students return. Shorter breaks can help students keep a regular study routine. They may also help parents who have jobs because they need to arrange childcare for children.

In conclusion, long school holidays give students time to rest, enjoy family life and develop new interests. Nevertheless, shorter holidays can help students remember their lessons and maintain good study habits. Therefore, I believe a balanced holiday period is the best choice.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. While the points made are relevant, they are presented in a somewhat superficial manner. To achieve a higher band, you must expand on your arguments with more detailed explanations and specific, illustrative examples. The current length prevents a fully developed response, leading to a score that reflects the lack of depth and the failure to meet the minimum word count constraint.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

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 basic cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Second', 'However', and 'In conclusion' effectively to link your points. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between sentences is smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is clear, which helps the reader navigate your argument without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using words like 'refreshed', 'regular study routine', and 'balanced'. The language is generally accurate and appropriate for the context. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive and lacks the sophistication or 'less common' lexical items required for higher bands. To improve, focus on incorporating more precise collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to education and child development. For example, instead of 'useful activities', you could use 'enriching extracurricular pursuits'. Your spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'If students stay away from school for too long, they may forget some information they learned during the school year.' The sentences are generally error-free, and your punctuation is correct. To reach a higher band, you should aim to include a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or conditional forms, to demonstrate greater flexibility. Currently, the sentence structures are somewhat predictable, though they are accurate.

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

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