Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03
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 more during the summer holidays. While long holidays can provide several benefits for students, shorter holidays also have some important advantages.
One of the main benefits of long school holidays is that students have enough time to relax after a stressful academic year. Studying continuously can be tiring, so a long break allows students to rest and spend more time with their families and friends. In addition, students can use this free time to develop their interests and skills. For example, they may learn a new language, play sports, travel, or take part in creative activities. Long holidays can also give teachers enough time to prepare for the next academic year.
On the other hand, there are several arguments in favour of shorter school holidays. Firstly, students may forget some of the information they have learned during a very long break. As a result, teachers often need to spend the first few weeks of the new term reviewing previous lessons. Shorter holidays can help students maintain their study habits and remember their knowledge more effectively. Secondly, shorter holidays can be more convenient for working parents, as they may find it difficult to take care of their children for several months. Schools can provide children with a regular routine while their parents are working.
In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to rest, spend time with their families and develop other interests. However, shorter holidays can help students maintain their academic progress and provide greater convenience for working parents. Therefore, I believe that a balanced holiday period would be the most beneficial.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, covering both the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout. Ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the mention of 'academic progress' and 'working parents' in the second body paragraph. The development is balanced, providing a clear rationale for both sides of the argument. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or deeper analysis, such as discussing the impact on teacher burnout or specific educational outcomes, rather than relying on general observations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Logical progression is evident, with ideas moving smoothly from the benefits of long holidays to the counter-arguments for shorter ones. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of ideas is natural, and the reader is never confused about the writer's intent.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'academic year', 'study habits', and 'academic progress'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys meaning clearly, it is somewhat functional and lacks a wider range of less common or more sophisticated lexical items. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural. To improve, the student could incorporate more precise academic collocations or nuanced synonyms to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writer successfully uses complex structures, such as 'While long holidays can provide...', and '...as they may find it difficult to take care of their children...'. The grammatical accuracy is high, with no noticeable errors that impede communication. The writing is clear and professional, reflecting a solid grasp of English syntax and morphology suitable for an academic context.
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