Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-14

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 7.0)

In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays. This long break has both advantages and disadvantages, and there are also people who think that holidays should be shorter. In this essay, I will discuss the value of long holidays and the reasons why some people support shorter holidays.There are several benefits of having long school holidays. The main value is that students can rest and relax after studying hard for the whole year. School can be very stressful, so a long break helps children to reduce stress and feel fresh. Another important point is that students get time to spend with their family and friends. For example, many families plan trips or visit relatives during summer because children have free time. Furthermore, long holidays give students a chance to learn new skills that are not taught in school, such as playing sports, learning music, or doing part-time jobs.However, some people argue that school holidays should be shorter. The first reason is about learning. When students stay away from school for two months, they can forget what they learned before. Teachers then have to spend time revising old lessons, which wastes time. The second argument is related to parents. During long holidays, working parents find it difficult to take care of their children at home. Children may also spend too much time watching TV or playing video games, which is not good for their health. For these reasons, some people believe that shorter holidays would be better.In conclusion, long summer holidays are valuable because they allow students to rest, spend time with family, and develop new skills. On the other hand, shorter holidays could help students remember their studies better and solve problems for working parents. In my opinion, a balance is needed so that students get enough rest but do not forget their studies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. The development is logical, with distinct points for each side of the argument. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis. For instance, when discussing the 'learning loss' during long breaks, you could mention the impact on specific subjects like mathematics or language acquisition. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. You use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'On the other hand' effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the text. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, which makes the writing feel natural and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate and appropriate for the task. You demonstrate a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'revising old lessons', 'learning new skills', and 'working parents'. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater precision. For example, instead of 'reduce stress', you could use 'alleviate academic pressure'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'When students stay away from school for two months, they can forget what they learned before.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your arguments. While the range of structures is sufficient, incorporating a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms—such as passive voice or conditional structures—would further enhance the quality of your writing. Overall, the control of grammar is strong and does not impede understanding.

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