Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-07
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 5.5)
In many countries, primary and secondary level of schools are closed for two or more month in the summer vacations.while, long school holidays provide time for relaxation and stronger connection with the family.There are also stronger arguments in favour of shorter school holidays because it will make student more focused toward thier goals and aid to become more socially confident.
on the one hand, long school holidays are more valued because they provide time to students for relaxation as they get exhausted in thier daily tough routine of 9-5 schooling.long holidays allow students to spent more quality time with thier family and grew thier bond stronger.students usually go to trips to beautiful areas along thier families for recreational activities.some students spent most of thier time in playing with thier friends .for example, my sister prefers to play outside along her friends during her summer vacations.
on the other hand, shorter school holidays let students to be more focused on ther educational or carreer goals. in contrast long holidays distract students from achieving thier goal.Not only students excel thier goal but also they become more socially confident by making friends or interacting students from different background.For example, Tina, my cousin sister dont want to go to school and nor she has interest in studies after spending long vacations at home.
In conclusion, as longer holidays provide time for rest and personal growth , shorter holidays also allow students to thrive academically.perhaps, to create balance it is better to provide modular breaks throughout the academic session.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument regarding social confidence is mentioned but not fully explained or linked clearly to the school schedule. The position is clear, but the supporting points, such as the example of the cousin, are anecdotal and lack depth. To reach a higher band, you should expand on the implications of these holidays—such as the impact on academic retention or teacher burnout—rather than relying on personal examples.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction and conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'on the one hand' and 'on the other hand' are used correctly, but the transitions between sentences within paragraphs are sometimes abrupt. Additionally, there are issues with punctuation and capitalization (e.g., 'while, long school holidays', 'thier', 'dont'), which occasionally disrupt the flow of ideas. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring consistent paragraph structure would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. There are frequent spelling errors (e.g., 'thier', 'carreer', 'dont') and some awkward collocations, such as 'excel thier goal'. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'recreational activities' and 'academic session', the overall lexical range is limited. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated synonyms and ensuring correct spelling, as these errors currently detract from the professional tone of the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Common issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'students... grew thier bond', 'Tina... dont want'), missing articles, and incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'let students to be'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several instances of missing spaces after periods and incorrect comma usage. While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in basic grammar and punctuation limit the score. You should focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and basic sentence construction.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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