Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-21
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 5.5)
Elementary and middle schools worldwide are shutdowne for two months or more in the summer holidays. This gives students to enjoy their leisure time by going on trips with their families. Some kids try and learn different hobbies that suits them. However, students might get used to the vacant time they had spent might not concentrate more on their studies.
Students study so hard in schools untill the holidays. They give soo many exams that might stress them a lot. Long school holidays will help them to get stress free. And this is the time where kids go on vacations and trips with their families to make some memories. Some kids might also join in clubs to try new things as they don't get time to try these when they attend school.
However, long holidays have some cons as well. They get used to the free time and might have a trouble to concentrate on their studies. They might get distracted and neglect their education by all the enjoyment they have got in the holidays. Shorter holidays helps them to take a break from the studies and come back on track at the right time. These short holidays are a stress relief period that might not spoil kids education and helps them feel at ease.
In conclusion, long holidays help kids to travel and tryout new things that they might not be able to do in the school time. Whereas, short holidays will provide a break for kids to relieve their stress and will not disrupt their studies as well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For example, the benefits of long holidays are limited to 'trips' and 'hobbies', and the arguments for shorter holidays are repetitive, focusing primarily on 'concentration'. To reach a higher band, you should provide more nuanced examples, such as the impact on academic retention or the socio-economic implications for working parents. The position is clear, but the supporting arguments lack the depth required for a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. There is a basic attempt at cohesion using transition words like 'However', 'In conclusion', and 'Whereas'. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the use of cohesive devices is limited. Some sentences feel disjointed, such as the transition between the second and third paragraphs. To improve, try to use a wider variety of linking phrases and ensure that the progression of ideas within paragraphs is smoother and more interconnected.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. There are several instances of informal or imprecise word choices, such as 'shutdowne' (spelling error), 'get stress free', 'spoil kids education', and 'tryout'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat narrow, relying on basic terms like 'kids', 'things', and 'good/bad' concepts. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, academic vocabulary related to education and time management, and ensure that collocations are used correctly.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'This gives students to enjoy' (incorrect verb pattern), 'untill' (spelling), 'soo many' (informal/spelling), and 'have a trouble to concentrate' (incorrect article/preposition usage). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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