Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In many countries, schools provide students with a summer holiday lasting two months or more. Although long breaks can offer several important benefits, shorter school holidays also have advantages, particularly in terms of maintaining students’ academic progress and supporting working parents.

One major benefit of a long summer holiday is that it gives students sufficient time to rest and recover from the demands of studying. Throughout the academic year, children have to attend classes, complete assignments and prepare for examinations, which can be mentally exhausting. A lengthy break allows them to relax, spend time with their families and participate in activities that they may not have time for during the school term. For example, students can travel, take part in sports or learn practical skills such as swimming or cooking. Long holidays can therefore contribute to students’ mental and physical well-being.

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 when breaks are shorter. After several months away from school, children may need considerable time to revise previous material before they can effectively begin new topics. Shorter and more frequent breaks could help them maintain a consistent learning routine and reduce this problem. In addition, long holidays can create difficulties for working parents, who may have to arrange childcare for their children for several weeks. Shorter holidays would reduce the amount of time parents need to make such arrangements.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to rest, spend time with their families and develop interests outside the classroom. Nevertheless, shorter holidays can help maintain academic continuity and reduce childcare difficulties for working parents. In my view, a balanced school calendar with reasonably long breaks but more frequent holidays would provide the greatest benefits for both students and families.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the value of long holidays, such as mental recovery and personal development, and provide logical arguments for shorter holidays, focusing on academic continuity and childcare logistics. Your position is consistent throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples. The conclusion effectively synthesises your points and offers a balanced perspective. To reach a higher band, you could further expand on the 'academic progress' argument by briefly mentioning the concept of 'summer learning loss' or specific educational studies to add more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the benefits of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases like 'However' and 'In addition'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, such as 'Throughout the academic year' and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is skilful, ensuring that each point is distinct and easy to follow. The flow of information is logical, and the relationship between ideas is always clear to the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'academic continuity', 'mentally exhausting', and 'arrange childcare' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and helps convey your arguments clearly. While the range is sufficient, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the score further. For instance, instead of 'create difficulties', you might use 'pose challenges'. Overall, the lexical control is strong, and there are no errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if...') and subordinate clauses ('Although long breaks can...'), with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There is a good balance between simple and complex forms, which makes the writing easy to read and professional in tone. The grammar is consistent, and there are no significant errors that distract the reader.

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