Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-15

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)

In many countries, schools have a long summer holiday which can last for two months or even longer. While these holidays provide several benefits for students and teachers, some people believe that shorter holidays would be more beneficial. This essay will discuss the value of long school holidays and the arguments for reducing their length.

One important benefit of long school holidays is that students have enough time to rest after studying for many months. School can be stressful because students have to attend classes, complete homework and prepare for examinations. A long break gives them an opportunity to relax and spend more time with their families and friends. In addition, students can use this time to travel, play sports or develop new hobbies. For example, some students may learn swimming, music or other skills during the summer break.

Another advantage is that teachers also need time to rest and prepare for the next school year. Teaching requires a lot of concentration and preparation, so a long holiday can help teachers recover from their busy schedules. They can also use the break to attend training courses and prepare lessons for the following year. As a result, they may return to school feeling more prepared and motivated.

However, there are also arguments in favour of shorter school holidays. Firstly, students can forget some of the information they learned before the holiday, especially if they do not study during the break. When they return to school, teachers may need to spend time reviewing previous lessons. Shorter holidays could help students maintain their learning habits and remember important information.

Furthermore, shorter holidays may be more convenient for working parents. Parents who work full-time may have difficulty finding someone to look after their children during a long holiday. They may have to pay for childcare or ask relatives to help them. Therefore, shorter school holidays could reduce this problem for some families.

In conclusion, long school holidays allow students and teachers to rest, spend time with their families and participate in other activities. However, shorter holidays can help students maintain their learning and make childcare easier for working parents. In my view, a balanced holiday period that provides sufficient rest without being unnecessarily long would be beneficial.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones. A clear position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as students learning swimming and music, or teachers attending training courses. The arguments regarding learning loss and the needs of working parents are logically elaborated. The response meets all the requirements of a well-structured academic task 2 essay, earning a solid Band 7.0 for its comprehensive coverage and clear task fulfillment.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the benefits of long holidays, the counter-arguments for shorter holidays, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, as seen with phrases like 'One important benefit', 'Another advantage', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. While the cohesion is generally natural, it occasionally leans on slightly standard structural signposts, placing it comfortably at a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary appropriate for the task. Words and phrases such as 'concentration', 'preparation', 'learning habits', and 'convenient' are used accurately. There are also attempts at less common lexical items like 'unnecessarily long' and 'fully-time' (though working full-time is standard). Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication. The lexical range is sufficient to allow flexibility and precision, deserving a Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The student successfully incorporates conditional clauses ('especially if they do not study during the break') and relative clauses ('Parents who work full-time may have difficulty...'). There is good control of grammar and punctuation throughout, and the majority of sentences are grammatically accurate. Although the sentence structures are somewhat predictable and lack the wider stylistic flexibility required for a Band 8, the frequent error-free sentences easily support a Band 7.0 rating.

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