Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17

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 6.5)

Nowadays, schools remain closed for summer holidays in many countries around the world. This practice offers several benefits, although it also has some drawbacks. Supporters of long school holidays argue that they provide numerous advantages for both students and their families after a demanding academic term. Firstly, long holidays allow students to develop practical skills that classroom learning cannot always provide. For instance, they have enough time to pursue their favourite hobbies, such as painting and photography, or even take up a part-time job to gain valuable work experience. In addition, students can spend more time with their families. Parents may have the opportunity to plan a trip, visit different places, and enjoy quality time together.

However, long summer holidays also have some disadvantages. Firstly, students may forget some of the knowledge and skills they have learned during the academic year, especially if they do not study during the break. As a result, they may need extra time to adapt when school starts again. Secondly, some students may become less disciplined because they have a long period without a regular routine. Therefore, shorter holidays could help learners maintain their academic progress while still giving them enough time to relax and spend time with their families.

In conclusion, although long summer holidays provide students with opportunities to develop practical skills, enjoy hobbies, and spend time with their families, they can also affect their academic progress and daily routine. In my opinion, shorter holidays are more beneficial because they provide a better balance between relaxation and education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention 'practical skills' and 'work experience', these points could be expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance, but the overall depth of the arguments remains at a functional level rather than a fully extended one. To improve, aim to provide more detailed explanations of how these holidays impact student development.

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 cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Therefore' effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall coherence of the text. While the structure is sound, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat standard; incorporating a wider variety of linking phrases or more sophisticated referencing could enhance the flow further.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific terms like 'academic term', 'academic progress', and 'disciplined'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on common phrasing. To achieve a higher score, you should attempt to incorporate more precise, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations. For example, instead of 'forget some of the knowledge', you could use 'experience academic regression' or 'suffer from knowledge attrition'. The current range is sufficient but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. You demonstrate control over complex structures, such as the conditional 'if they do not study during the break' and the concessive 'although long summer holidays provide...'. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. To move to a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already achieved.

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