Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29

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 8.0)

There has long been debate over whether lengthy summer vacations are beneficial for schoolchildren. While extended holidays provide valuable opportunities for rest, personal growth and family bonding, many people argue that shorter breaks would improve students' academic performance and reduce educational inequality. This essay will examine both perspectives before concluding that a balanced approach is the most beneficial.

One of the greatest advantages of long summer holidays is that they allow students to recover from the physical and mental demands of the academic year. Continuous examinations, homework and extracurricular commitments can lead to stress and burnout, particularly among secondary school students. A prolonged break enables children to relax, pursue hobbies and develop life skills that are often neglected during term time. For example, many students spend their holidays learning a musical instrument, participating in sports camps or volunteering in their communities. Such experiences foster creativity, independence and self-confidence, qualities that cannot always be cultivated in a traditional classroom. Furthermore, extended vacations give families the opportunity to travel together, strengthening relationships and exposing children to different cultures and environments.

On the other hand, supporters of shorter holidays argue that lengthy interruptions can negatively affect learning. Research has consistently shown that students tend to forget previously acquired knowledge during long breaks, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the "summer learning loss." Consequently, teachers often spend several weeks reviewing old material instead of introducing new concepts, reducing overall educational efficiency. This issue is particularly serious for children from disadvantaged families who may lack access to books, educational activities or private tutoring during the holidays. By contrast, shorter but more frequent breaks throughout the year would help students retain knowledge, maintain productive study habits and narrow the achievement gap between socio-economic groups.

In conclusion, long school holidays offer significant psychological, social and developmental benefits by allowing students to rest and broaden their experiences beyond the classroom. Nevertheless, the academic drawbacks associated with extended absences cannot be ignored. Therefore, a school calendar featuring shorter summer vacations combined with regular breaks during the academic year would represent the most effective compromise, promoting both educational success and students' overall well-being.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the value of long holidays (rest, personal growth, family bonding) and the arguments for shorter ones (academic retention, reducing inequality). Your position is consistent throughout, and the conclusion provides a thoughtful synthesis. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of 'summer learning loss' and the specific activities students engage in during breaks. The response is balanced and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', 'Consequently', and 'By contrast', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, and referencing is clear throughout. The flow is natural and professional, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases like 'academic burnout', 'educational efficiency', 'socio-economic groups', and 'achievement gap' show a high level of lexical control. You use less common items naturally and accurately, such as 'phenomenon' and 'cultivated'. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the academic tone of the task. Your ability to use topic-specific terminology contributes significantly to the clarity and sophistication of your argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of complex structures, including conditional-like structures, participial phrases, and well-constructed subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For instance, the sentence 'Research has consistently shown that students tend to forget previously acquired knowledge during long breaks, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the "summer learning loss"' is grammatically sophisticated and perfectly punctuated. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the overall grammatical accuracy is very high.

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