Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-14

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 7.0)

In many countries, schools close for two months or more during the summer. While long holidays provide several benefits for students, there are also strong arguments for reducing the length of school breaks.

One major benefit of long school holidays is that they give students enough time to rest and recover from academic pressure. Children spend most of the year attending classes, completing homework and preparing for examinations. A long break allows them to relax and spend quality time with their families. It also gives them an opportunity to take part in activities that they may not have time for during the school year, such as travelling, playing sports or learning new skills. For example, students can attend short courses or visit different places with their families, which can provide valuable experiences outside the classroom.

However, there are several arguments in favour of shorter school holidays. Firstly, students may forget some of the knowledge and skills they have learned when they stay away from school for a long period. This means teachers may need to spend the first few weeks of the new academic year reviewing previous lessons instead of teaching new material. Shorter breaks could help students maintain a regular learning routine. Secondly, shorter holidays can be more convenient for working parents, who may struggle to find childcare for their children during a two- or three-month break. Schools can provide a safe and educational environment while parents are at work.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to relax, spend time with their families and develop interests outside school. Nevertheless, shorter holidays may help children retain their knowledge and make life easier for working parents. In my opinion, a balanced holiday schedule with several shorter breaks throughout the year would be the most beneficial approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones, concluding with a clear personal opinion. The writer presents a well-developed position throughout the essay. The value of long holidays is supported with relevant points regarding rest, family time, and extracurricular experiences, while the counter-arguments regarding learning loss and childcare convenience are logically articulated and extended. Ideas are relevant and well-supported, satisfying the criteria for a Band 7.5 or Band 8, though the depth of extension remains slightly conventional rather than deeply insightful.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a balanced introduction, moving to the benefits of long holidays, then the arguments for shorter breaks, and finishing with a cohesive conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately. Referencing is clear, and the overall progression is smooth, which firmly places this response in the Band 7 category.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with adequate flexibility and precision for the task. Appropriate academic and topic-related phrasing is integrated, such as 'academic pressure', 'extracurricular activities', 'learning routine', and 'academic year'. There are also successful attempts at less common lexical items ('extracurricular', 'convenient', 'childcare'). Word choice and collocation are generally natural, though there are minor areas where vocabulary could be elevated for greater sophistication. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, utilizing relative clauses ('activities that they may not have time for'), conditional and temporal contexts ('when they stay away from school'), and modal verbs effectively. There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and grammar and punctuation are controlled well. Minor errors are virtually absent, and the complexity of sentence forms does not impede communication at any point. The command of grammar easily meets the standard for a solid Band 7.5 performance.

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