Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-15

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 5.0)

In numerous countries, primary and secondary schools close for At least 60 days or more in summer holidays. This essay gives the information about long holidays and shorter holidays.

First of all, we report to examiner that long school holidays. Holidays are the main part of student education career. Many students are very happy when government announced the summer holidays. For example, on the arrival of the holidays students start their journey of the relative houses. Furthermore, they start the trip with friends or family to the Northern mountain areas. The summer holidays give the relaxation to the students. These holidays only give the adventure and peace full life.

On the other hand, the shorter holidays is essential for the education. Because the students don't take or show interest and attention in the study on the arrival of these holidays. Therefore, shorter holidays is necessary for keeping their study. For the instant, when the government announced the holidays for short time the students can go for enjoyment and after short time of holidays. They can again keep their study regularly. In my opinion, the advantages of the short holidays is that students don't forget their study items that they remembered.

In conclusion, holidays is essential for student life. But, long time holidays give the students only enjoyment and relaxation. Furthermore, students avoid their study in these days. And short time holidays is good for education life. Because this holidays give the relaxation and opportunity to keep their study. In these holidays, students don't forget their memories lesson.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The essay addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the development of ideas is limited. The points regarding 'relaxation' and 'forgetting study items' are repetitive and lack depth. The response relies on general statements rather than providing specific, well-supported arguments. For instance, the mention of 'Northern mountain areas' is a personal anecdote that does not fully explain the educational or developmental value of long breaks. To improve, you should expand on the academic, social, or psychological impacts of these holiday structures with more sophisticated reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the progression of ideas is often disjointed. While you use some cohesive devices like 'First of all', 'Furthermore', and 'On the other hand', they are sometimes used mechanically or inappropriately, such as starting a sentence with 'For the instant' or 'Because the students...'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the flow between sentences feels repetitive. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, singular focus that transitions logically to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'give the relaxation', 'enjoyment', and 'study items' are used frequently, which limits the range. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'report to examiner' (which is inappropriate for an essay) and 'remembered' instead of 'retained'. You should aim to use more precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas. For example, instead of 'give the relaxation', you could use 'facilitate mental rejuvenation' or 'alleviate academic pressure'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more topic-specific collocations will significantly improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay contains a high frequency of grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'shorter holidays is necessary', 'holidays is essential') and article usage. Sentence structures are predominantly simple or contain errors when attempting complex forms. For example, 'Because the students don't take or show interest...' is a sentence fragment. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that your sentences are complete. Practising the use of complex sentences—such as using subordinating conjunctions correctly—will also help you demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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.