Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-17
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, students have long summer holidays that last for about two months or more. Some people believe that these long breaks are very valuable, while others think school holidays should be shorter. This essay will discuss the same before reaching to the logical conclusion.
Long school holidays have several advantages. First of all, they give students time to rest after a long and stressful school year. Many students study hard and need a break to relax and recharge their minds. Secondly, long holidays allow families to spend more time together. For example, parents can take their children on trips or visit relatives in other cities. This helps to build stronger family relationships. Finally, students can use the long break to learn new things outside school, such as playing sports, reading books, or learning new skills like cooking or drawing.
On the other hand, shorter school holidays also have benefits. When the break is too long, some students forget what they have learned, so teachers need to review old material again when school starts. Shorter holidays can help students keep their knowledge fresh. In addition, some parents find it difficult to take care of their children for a long time during summer, especially if they have to work.
In conclusion, long school holidays give students time to rest and enjoy family life, but shorter holidays help them maintain learning and reduce difficulties for parents. In my opinion, schools should find a balance, perhaps giving one long break and several short ones during the year.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones, concluding with a balanced personal opinion. The writer establishes a clear position and supports it with relevant ideas and examples, such as students resting, spending time with family, and avoiding learning loss. The ideas are adequately developed, fitting well within the Band 7 descriptor, which requires addressing all parts of the task with a clear position throughout and well-supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the advantages of long holidays, the benefits of shorter holidays, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'First of all', 'Secondly', 'Finally', and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately. This meets the criteria for Band 7, which requires a clear logical organisation and progression throughout with flexible use of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow for flexibility and precision on the topic. Phrases like 'recharge their minds', 'build stronger family relationships', and 'keep their knowledge fresh' demonstrate a good control of common collocations and some less common items. There are only occasional minor lexical slips, such as 'reaching to the logical conclusion', but these do not impede communication. The lexical control and variety align well with the Band 7 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively, as seen in sentences like 'When the break is too long, some students forget what they have learned, so teachers need to review old material again...' Control of grammar and punctuation is generally good, with frequent error-free sentences, although a minor slip occurs in the introductory paragraph ('reaching to the logical conclusion' instead of 'reaching a logical conclusion'). Overall, the grammatical range and accuracy strongly represent a Band 7 level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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