Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-11

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 6.5)

Primary and secondary school summer holidays vary in length worldwide. It is often debated whether longer breaks contribute more positively than shorter ones. I believe a balanced approach may be the best way forward.

On the one hand, long school breaks facilitate much-needed rest for students and teachers after a demanding year and provide a good reset before returning to school. Extended holidays allow children to spend quality time with their family, travel, and experience life outside the classroom. For instance, a longer break during the summer can be utilized by enrolling kids in summer school, where they can learn new skills. These experiences can enhance children's motivation levels to return to school after a well-spent holiday.

Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to prolonged holidays. Firstly, long breaks can lead to holiday blues. If schools were to implement shorter, more frequent breaks, students might experience less academic regression. Moreover, if summer breaks are prolonged, working parents will have to find suitable childcare during working hours, which can be challenging. In addition, Smaller, frequent off periods can cater better to exhaustion and effectively manage burnout that most students and faculty face throughout the academic year. This burnout is usually due to high stress levels and academic pressure. A case in point: countries that offer shorter summer holidays and frequent breaks throughout the year perform better in academia.

In conclusion, while long breaks seem very relaxing and provide an opportunity to engage in activities outside school, shorter breaks spread out throughout the year can work best for schools, as it provides the required rest period while avoiding academic regression.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones. The position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout. Ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of childcare challenges and academic regression. To reach a higher band, the development of the 'value' of long holidays could be more nuanced; for instance, discussing the psychological benefits of unstructured time in greater depth would strengthen the argument. Overall, the response is well-focused and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'In addition' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally appropriate for the task. The student uses topic-specific terms like 'academic regression,' 'burnout,' and 'faculty' correctly. There is some attempt to use less common items, which adds precision to the argument. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication, and the tone remains formal and academic throughout the piece.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, using a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively. For example, the use of conditional structures ('If schools were to implement...') and complex noun phrases shows good control. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free. While there are occasional minor slips, such as the unnecessary capitalization of 'Smaller' in the third paragraph, these do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The range of structures is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately.

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