Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18
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)
Summer holiday is major part which every single student experience in their school. life and its also plays a very vital role in developing and finding interests where kids don't have to worry about the academic grades and can think mote clearly and probably many students develop their future plan interest during this break where they could spent hours into doing and exploring what they love and what's feel right to them.
In majority of countries summer holidays are the Favorite time of the year for the students specially primary and secondary schools.In my opinion it is necessary for children to enjoy almost every single day without worrying about homework and following a stirct same routine,waiting for weekends, doing fun activities, enjoying beach trips for their brains and physical activities and make the most memorable days of their lives.
Although it all seems fun but it also becomes the hardest task for kids to again going back into their routine and reconnecting with the subjects and redevelop their interest into studies after a much long break and it could be reason for students not to perform quite well into first few weeks, joining school after a long break till they adapt back to their normal school routine and its also scientifically proven that it takes 21 days to adapt into any new habit and its also effect student performance in few weeks not only for students but for teachers as well.
Although summer vacation has its pros and cons but in my opinion ynder my experience summer break are essential for students but long break makes many students loose internet into studies and many takes times to re connect with their schools routine but some kids might remain intonday dreaming and memories of summer holiday and eagerly wait for the next year rather than understanding its a
part of life not a dream to revolve a life around it, its fun but also education is important.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones. The student presents a clear position throughout the text, expressing the view that while summer breaks are essential for mental relaxation and exploration, they also present challenges regarding academic regression and routine disruption. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly in the discussion of disadvantages where thoughts meander into day-dreaming. While all parts are addressed, the arguments could be extended further with more concrete examples rather than generalisations. Overall, the performance aligns with the requirements for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text suffers from significant cohesion and punctuation issues. The essay is structured into four very long, dense paragraphs containing massive run-on sentences. For instance, the first paragraph consists of a single, highly convoluted sentence that strings multiple ideas together with coordinating conjunctions rather than appropriate subordination and punctuation. Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. Referencing and logical progression are hindered by a lack of full stops and transitional markers. Consequently, the overall organization feels muddled, dragging the score down to Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'academic grades', 'physical activities', and 'scientifically proven'. However, there are numerous word choice errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward collocations throughout the text, such as 'mote clearly' instead of 'more clearly', 'stirct same routine', 'much long break', and 'loose internet into studies' (intended to mean 'lose interest'). These lexical slips and inaccuracies occasionally cause strain for the reader, fitting comfortably into the Band 5.0 descriptor profile.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammatical range is limited by a heavy reliance on overly long, poorly controlled complex-compound structures connected by conjunctions. The response lacks proper boundary punctuation, resulting in comma splices and run-on sentences. There are frequent errors in verb forms and agreement, such as 'Summer holiday is major part which every single student experience' and 'summer break are essential'. While simple sentence segments can be understood, the frequency of grammatical errors and poor punctuation frequently impede smooth communication, reflecting the characteristics of a Band 5.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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