Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-27

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, schools close for two months or longer during the summer. While long holidays provide several benefits for students, there are also strong arguments for reducing their length.

Long school holidays give students an opportunity to relax after a demanding academic year. Studying continuously can cause stress and tiredness, so an extended break allows children to recover both physically and mentally. Moreover, holidays provide a valuable time for families to travel, visit relatives and participate in activities that are difficult to enjoy during the school year. For example, children can attend sports camps, learn practical skills or spend more time outdoors. Such experiences can improve their social skills and overall development.

However, shorter school holidays can also be beneficial. One major advantage is that students are less likely to forget what they have learned. After a very long break, children may need considerable time to remember previous lessons, which can slow down the beginning of a new academic year. Shorter breaks can help maintain a regular learning routine and reduce this problem. In addition, shorter holidays may be particularly helpful for working parents, who often have difficulty arranging childcare for several weeks. Schools could provide shorter breaks throughout the year instead, giving students regular opportunities to rest without interrupting their education for a long period.

In conclusion, long summer holidays are valuable because they allow students to recover, spend time with family and develop interests outside school. Nevertheless, shorter holidays can help children maintain their academic progress and reduce childcare difficulties for parents. In my view, a balanced school calendar with reasonable length but shorter summer holidays and several shorter breaks throughout the year would provide the greatest overall benefits.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt clearly. You have identified the value of long holidays (relaxation, family time, skill development) and the arguments for shorter holidays (academic retention, childcare convenience). Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical explanations provided for each point. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or evidence to support your claims, such as mentioning how specific countries have successfully implemented shorter, more frequent breaks. Overall, the response is well-structured and fully answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is smooth, using appropriate linking words like 'However' and 'In addition'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'Moreover' and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The structure is balanced, and the conclusion effectively summarizes your main points while offering a thoughtful final perspective.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'demanding academic year', 'maintain a regular learning routine', and 'balanced school calendar' show a good command of language. The vocabulary is precise and used accurately throughout the text. While the range is sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. For instance, instead of 'difficult to enjoy', you might use 'challenging to accommodate'. Overall, your lexical choices are natural and contribute to a professional tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures ('If... then' implied) and subordinate clauses ('While long holidays provide...', 'After a very long break, children may...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and list items. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and easy to follow, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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