Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Summer holidays have alot of singificance in almost every country, so for this purpose the the primary and secondary schools close for about more than two months. It is often argued by some people that long summer holidays are essential for children because it can be beneficial in different aspects. While the other school of thought consider that schools provide shorter holidays because of the wastage of time and other social factors. In this essay i will discuss both views with clear reasons.
On the one side, long school holidays have vital importance in every country because its very crucial to have a break during tough study periods. The children can involve in different activities during summer holidays as physical health is also very necessary with studies.For example, i remembered that in my childhood my parents planed for different historical and educational tours during our summer holidays. We enjoyed alot and learned different things. Therefore, i think almost a period of about two month holidays is very important for school children.
On the other hand, some people think that a short period of holidays is better because due to long holidays the study schdule of students really effects. The students can be lazy and unable to complete their syllabus within given time. For instance, according to an article published by "The Dawn Newspaper" indicated that developed countries only allow a short period of summer holidays in their schools beacuse thay mainly focus upon curriculum.
To conclude, summer holidays in schools have a great importance in every country but there sholud be a balance between long and short holidays by focusing on the students educational desires.
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 essay addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention physical health and educational tours, these points could be expanded with more specific detail or analysis. The argument for shorter holidays is also brief, relying on a single reference to an article. To reach a higher band, ensure that each body paragraph provides a more thorough exploration of the implications of these policies rather than just stating the points. Your position is clear throughout, but the depth of support is currently at a mid-level.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the one side,' 'On the other hand,' and 'To conclude' to guide the reader. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes a bit mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing and sentence structure that occasionally disrupt the natural progression of ideas. For example, the transition between the introduction and the first body paragraph could be smoother. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer back to their antecedents would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some relevant topic-specific terms like 'curriculum,' 'educational tours,' and 'study periods.' However, there are several instances of word-choice errors and spelling mistakes, such as 'alot' (a lot), 'singificance' (significance), and 'schdule' (schedule). Additionally, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'the study schdule of students really effects.' To improve, focus on mastering common collocations and proofreading for spelling errors. Expanding your range to include more sophisticated synonyms would also help elevate your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('the other school of thought consider') and article usage ('the the primary'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods and commas. While you attempt complex sentences, they often contain errors that slightly impede the flow. To improve, focus on consistent subject-verb agreement and ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately. Reviewing basic punctuation rules will also help make your writing look more professional and polished.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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