Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-28

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 6.0)

In many countries primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in summer holidays. Some people think that this long holiday is good for students, while other people think that shorter holidays are better. I think long holidays are more useful because students need rest after a long time of study.

One main value of long school holidays is that students can take a good rest. Students study in school for many months and they also do homework and prepare for exams. Because of this they can become tired and they need some free time. During the holidays they can spend time with their family and friends. They can also do some activities which they dont have enough time to do in school days. For example, a student can visit relatives or go to another place with their family. This can make them happy and when they go back to school they can feel more fresh.

However, there are also some arguments for shorter holidays. One main reason is that students can forget their studies during a very long holiday. When they stay away from school for two or three months, they may forget some lessons and it can be difficult for them when school start again. For example, students may forget some maths rules or other important information which they learned before. Shorter holidays can help them to remember their studies and continue their learning without a very long break.

Another thing is that long holidays can make problems for parents. Many parents have jobs and they cannot stay at home with their children all the time. If children have shorter holidays, they can spend more time in school and parents can do their jobs. This can be more easy for some families.

In conclusion, long school holidays have some good points because students can rest, spend time with family and do other activities. However, shorter holidays can also help students to remember their studies and can be easier for parents. In my opinion, long holidays are better but they should not be too long.

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 basic. For instance, the point about parents struggling with childcare is a good argument, but it could be expanded with more specific details or consequences. The conclusion is a bit repetitive of the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, you should aim to provide more depth in your supporting arguments rather than listing several points briefly.

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 topic, such as the benefits of rest or the challenges for parents. Cohesive devices like 'One main value', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. While the flow is generally good, some transitions between sentences feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that ideas within paragraphs are more tightly connected would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'primary and secondary schools' and 'academic studies'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple adjectives like 'good', 'happy', and 'easy'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary, such as 'academic performance', 'rejuvenation', or 'logistical challenges'. There are no significant spelling errors, but the overall lexical range does not yet demonstrate the flexibility required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear, there are some minor grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'when school start again' (should be 'starts') and 'make problems for parents' (should be 'cause problems'). Punctuation is generally correct, but the range of complex structures is limited. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to use a wider variety of subordinate clauses and more sophisticated grammatical forms, while ensuring that subject-verb agreement is consistently accurate.

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