Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-10

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 schools close for two months or more during the summer.

Schools close for this period because the hot winds in summer may damage children’s health. In my country, summer holidays are also given because students in secondary schools finish their annual examinations before the season begins.

On the other hand, there are several advantages to having two or three months of holidays. I personally feel that summer holidays are very valuable for children because they can learn things easily at that age. Parents can also engage them in activities such as sports, dance, singing, drawing, and painting. This helps children open up and show their talents to those who believe in them. Long vacations enable families to spend quality time together, travel, or visit extended family members in other regions. These experiences broaden children's horizons and help build strong interpersonal relationships outside the classroom.

Furthermore, many people enjoy their holidays by spending time with friends and family, although this depends from person to person. Some may visit their villages and explore them with cousins and family members. Travelling is also popular during the summer because it gives people peace of mind and no work stress. However, there are also arguments in favour of shorter school holidays because many people believe that children may become distracted and stop concentrating on their studies. They may also lose their self-discipline.

In conclusion, summer holidays are very valuable for children, and they can learn things easily at that age. However, we should enjoy our holidays by spending time with friends and family, where we can learn ethics and values. Balancing both perspectives is essential for supporting a child's overall growth.

AI examiner evaluation

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 uneven. The first paragraph introduces reasons for holidays that are not directly related to the 'value' requested, such as hot weather and exam schedules. While the second paragraph provides good examples of the benefits of holidays, the arguments for shorter holidays in the third paragraph are brief and lack depth. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that each point is fully extended with clear reasoning and specific examples rather than listing general activities.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition from the benefits of holidays to the arguments for shorter holidays in the third paragraph feels slightly abrupt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence would enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'interpersonal relationships', 'broaden children's horizons', and 'overall growth'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, and there are instances where word choice could be more precise, such as 'depends from person to person' (should be 'depends on the person'). To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and avoid repeating basic words like 'holidays' or 'people' too frequently. Expanding your range of topic-specific vocabulary related to education and child development would also be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most sentences are clear and easy to understand, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'depends from person to person' and 'no work stress' (which is a fragment). You have a good grasp of basic grammar, but to achieve a higher band, you need to demonstrate more consistent control over complex structures and ensure that punctuation and preposition usage are accurate. The current level of error does not impede communication, but it does limit the score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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