Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-18

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)

It is often debated whether summer holidays are good or bad for students. In many parts of the world, primary and secondary schools give a break for two months or more in the summer to students. Although giving lengthy holidays has some benefits, as students can recover from academic pressure and can spend quality time with their families.

One major benefit of lengthy school holidays is that they allow students to recover from their academic pressure. After months of lessons, exams, assignments and homework, children can relax without the pressure of studying every day. A long break allows them to pursue activities such as sports ,reading and working on their hobbies,. In addition, lengthy holidays enable them to spend quality time with their families, as families play a vital role in their personal development. They can go on a trip with their families to celebrate their quality breaks. For example, students who travel during the summer can gain practical knowledge about different cultures while returning to school feeling relaxed.

On the other hand, shorter school holidays can be beneficial because they allow students to maintain a more consistent learning routine. When children remain away from school studies for several months, they may forget the knowledge and skills they learnt or acquired during the academic period, meaning that teachers have to spend time reviewing previous material. Shorter breaks can reduce this problem and help students maintain their academic progress. Furthermore, short breaks can be more convenient for working parents, who may struggle to arrange childcare during lengthy school closures.

In conclusion, long school breaks provide valuable opportunities for students to rest, spend time with their families and develop interests outside the classroom. However, shorter holidays can help maintain a learning routine and provide greater convenience for working parents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

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 and supported with examples, such as the mention of travel for cultural knowledge and the logistical challenges for working parents. However, the development is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the 'academic pressure' point by explaining the psychological benefits of rest more deeply, or provide a more concrete example of how a shorter holiday structure might look in practice. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a balanced perspective.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two 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 'In addition', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore' effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct sides of the argument, which helps the reader navigate your points efficiently.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'academic pressure', 'consistent learning routine', and 'practical knowledge' are used accurately. There are some minor punctuation errors, such as the comma placement in 'hobbies,.' and 'sports ,reading', which slightly detract from the professional presentation. While the vocabulary is adequate and fits the context well, incorporating more precise or academic collocations—such as 'mitigate learning loss' instead of 'reduce this problem'—would elevate the lexical score to a higher level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. You demonstrate good control over complex structures, such as the conditional 'When children remain away... they may forget...' and the concessive 'Although...'. There are occasional minor errors, such as the fragment in the introduction ('Although giving lengthy holidays has some benefits, as students can recover...') which is a dependent clause standing alone. Despite these minor slips, the grammar is generally accurate and does not impede communication.

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