Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-13

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)

Primary and secondary schools in some countries provide students with two months or more of summer holidays. Long school holidays can be valuable because they give students an opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities and develop themselves outside the classroom. However, there are also arguments in favour of shorter holidays, particularly because prolonged breaks may cause students to lose their academic focus.

One of the main benefits of long summer holidays is that they allow students to develop their intellectual and personal abilities through activities beyond their regular studies. During the school year, students are often occupied with academic responsibilities, leaving them with little time to pursue other interests. In contrast, during a long holiday, they can spend more time with their families, travel, explore new places, meet different people, learn new skills or develop a hobby. Such experiences can broaden their perspectives and contribute to their overall development. For example, a student who takes up painting, learns a musical instrument or participates in a sports programme during the summer may develop creativity, discipline and social skills that are not necessarily acquired through academic study alone.

Nevertheless, there are strong arguments in favour of shorter school holidays. A prolonged break from studying can cause students to lose their academic focus and make it difficult for them to readjust to a structured learning environment. After spending several weeks enjoying leisure activities, some students may struggle to return to their previous study routines and concentration levels. This can be particularly problematic for younger students, who may require additional time to regain their learning habits after an extended absence from school. For instance, teachers often find that students need several days or even weeks to fully readjust to regular lessons after a lengthy summer break. Therefore, shorter holidays could help maintain continuity in education while still providing students with sufficient time to rest.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they give students time to relax, spend time with their families and participate in activities that contribute to their personal and intellectual development. However, shorter holidays can help students maintain their academic focus and make the transition back to school easier. Therefore, although extended breaks have clear benefits, holidays should be long enough to provide adequate rest without unnecessarily disrupting students' learning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt clearly and maintains a consistent position throughout. You have provided relevant arguments for both the value of long holidays (personal development, extracurricular engagement) and the arguments for shorter holidays (academic continuity, ease of transition). The ideas are well-supported with logical explanations and illustrative examples, such as the mention of students learning musical instruments or the observation of teachers regarding the 'readjustment' period. The response is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points, ensuring all parts of the task are fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using effective linking phrases such as 'In contrast', 'Nevertheless', and 'Therefore'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately throughout the text. The paragraphing is logical, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs addressing the specific questions, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'academic responsibilities', 'structured learning environment', and 'unnecessarily disrupting' show a level of precision and flexibility. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated, less common collocations or idiomatic academic expressions to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and subordinate clauses. The control over grammar is strong, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of complex ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of conditional structures and modal verbs is accurate, contributing to the overall clarity and professional tone of the writing. The sentence variety is good, alternating between simple and more complex constructions effectively.

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