Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-09
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)
many parts of the world, primary and secondary educational institutions shut down for extended periods during the summer. While these lengthy breaks offer significant benefits for students' physical and mental well-being, there are also compelling arguments for shortening them to maintain academic momentum.
The primary value of a long summer holiday lies in the opportunity it provides for rest and holistic growth. After months of rigorous academic schedules and continuous assessments, students require time to decompress and avoid burnout. Extended breaks allow them to pursue extracurricular interests that are often neglected during the school year, such as learning a musical instrument, engaging in sports, or participating in specialized summer camps. Furthermore, these holidays offer invaluable time for families to bond and travel, creating enriching life experiences that contribute significantly to a child's overall maturity.
Conversely, there are valid arguments in favor of shorter school holidays. The most prominent concern is the educational phenomenon known as "learning loss." When students are away from formal education for two months or more, they often forget crucial academic concepts, forcing teachers to spend the first few weeks of the new term reviewing old material. Additionally, extended holidays can place a significant financial and logistical burden on working parents who struggle to find affordable childcare for such a prolonged period. Shorter breaks distributed more evenly throughout the year could alleviate this parental stress while keeping students consistently engaged in their studies.
In conclusion, while long summer holidays give students essential time to rest, explore personal interests, and bond with family, shorter holidays present a practical solution to prevent academic regression and ease the childcare burden on working households.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly identify the benefits of long holidays, such as holistic growth and family bonding, and provide logical arguments for shorter holidays, specifically focusing on 'learning loss' and childcare challenges. The position is consistent throughout, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant supporting points. The structure is balanced, ensuring that both aspects of the question receive adequate attention. To reach the highest band, you could further extend your examples by briefly mentioning a specific country or a hypothetical scenario where a shorter school year has been implemented, which would add even more depth to your analysis.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
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 handled smoothly using the cohesive device 'Conversely'. You use a variety of linking words and phrases effectively, such as 'Furthermore', 'The primary value', and 'Additionally', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the internal structure of each paragraph is coherent. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the flow of information remains natural and easy to follow throughout the entire piece.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'holistic growth', 'academic momentum', 'educational phenomenon', and 'academic regression' are sophisticated and contextually appropriate. Your word choice is natural, and you avoid repetition by using varied terminology. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is well-suited to an academic essay. You show a good awareness of style, maintaining a formal and objective tone throughout the response. The control over less common lexical items is impressive and contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and varied clause types. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You successfully use complex structures, such as 'When students are away from formal education for two months or more, they often forget...', which are handled accurately. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the text. You have demonstrated a high level of control, making the essay very easy to read and understand.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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