Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02

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 7.5)

In many countries, schools close for two months or more during the summer. While long holidays provide several important benefits for students and teachers, there are also strong arguments for reducing the length of the school break. In my view, a shorter summer holiday would be more beneficial overall, provided that students still have enough time to rest.

One major advantage of long school holidays is that they give students an opportunity to relax after a demanding academic year. Children can spend more time with their families, travel, participate in sports, or develop hobbies that may not be possible during the school term. This break can also improve their mental and physical well-being by reducing stress and allowing them to return to school feeling refreshed. In addition, teachers can use the holiday to rest, attend professional training, and prepare lessons for the following academic year. For example, students who spend part of their summer visiting relatives or travelling may gain valuable social and cultural experiences outside the classroom.

However, there are several arguments in favour of shorter school holidays. The most significant is that students are less likely to forget what they have learned. After a two- or three-month break, children, particularly younger ones, may need considerable time to revise basic skills such as mathematics, reading and writing. Shorter breaks would allow learning to continue more consistently throughout the year. Another benefit is that parents may find it easier to manage childcare and their working schedules. Long holidays can be particularly difficult for families in which both parents have full-time jobs, as arranging childcare for several weeks can be expensive.

A shorter summer break could also help reduce educational inequality. Wealthier families can afford private tutoring, educational camps and foreign trips during long holidays, whereas children from disadvantaged backgrounds may have fewer opportunities to learn. As a result, a lengthy break can widen the gap between students. A more balanced school calendar, with shorter but regular breaks, could help prevent this problem.

In conclusion, long summer holidays allow students and teachers to rest, spend time with their families and pursue activities outside school. Nevertheless, shorter holidays can support continuous learning, make childcare easier for working parents and reduce educational inequality. Therefore, I believe that a moderately shorter summer holiday, combined with several shorter breaks during the year, would be the most effective approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified the value of long holidays, such as mental well-being and family time, and provided strong, logical arguments for shorter holidays, including academic retention and social equity. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of educational inequality and childcare costs. The structure is balanced, ensuring that both sides of the argument receive sufficient attention. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points and provides a clear, nuanced final opinion that directly answers the prompt.

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 paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'However', 'As a result', and 'Nevertheless'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the argument. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is easy to follow, which contributes to a very coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'demanding academic year', 'educational inequality', and 'disadvantaged backgrounds' show a strong command of topic-specific language. You use collocations accurately, and there is a sense of precision in your word choice. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the formal tone of the task, it stays within a standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic academic expressions to add further nuance to your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While long holidays provide...', '...families in which both parents have full-time jobs...'). Your control over punctuation and sentence construction is excellent, and the vast majority of your sentences are error-free. There is a high level of accuracy throughout the text, with no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of structures used contributes to the overall fluency and readability of the essay, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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