Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-19

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, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays. While long school holidays can provide several important benefits for students, there are also strong arguments in favour of shorter breaks. This essay will discuss the value of extended holidays and explain why shorter school vacations may also be beneficial.

One major advantage of long school holidays is that they give students sufficient time to rest and recover from academic pressure. Children usually spend most of the year attending classes, completing assignments and preparing for examinations. Therefore, a lengthy break can reduce stress and allow them to return to school with better concentration. For example, students can spend their holidays playing sports, enjoying hobbies or simply relaxing with their families. Furthermore, extended holidays provide opportunities for personal development and stronger family relationships. Students can learn practical skills or travel with their parents, which can contribute to their social and personal development.

On the other hand, shorter school holidays have several advantages. Firstly, they can help students maintain learning continuity. After a very long break, children may forget some of the knowledge and skills they have previously learned, meaning that teachers have to spend additional time revising old material. A shorter vacation can reduce this problem and allow students to continue their studies more effectively. Secondly, shorter holidays can be more convenient for working parents. Parents who work full-time may struggle to look after their children for several months and may have to pay for childcare services. Therefore, shorter school breaks can help families manage their work and childcare responsibilities more easily.

In conclusion, long school holidays are valuable because they allow students to relax, develop personal skills and spend quality time with their families. However, shorter holidays can maintain educational continuity and reduce childcare difficulties for working parents. Therefore, both approaches have clear benefits depending on the needs of students and families.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter breaks. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay, introducing the discussion in the introduction and summarising both sides effectively in the conclusion. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as mentioning how long breaks allow students to rest, play sports, and enjoy hobbies, while shorter breaks help maintain learning continuity and assist working parents. The arguments are logical and directly answer the prompt without any irrelevant digressions. Overall, the task response demonstrates a strong command of the prompt requirements, meeting the criteria for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, such as the advantages of long holidays in the second paragraph and the benefits of shorter breaks in the third. Cohesive devices are used effectively and appropriately, including transitional phrases like 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'Firstly', which guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and logically to separate distinct ideas. Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are easily understood. The overall structure supports the flow of the arguments very well.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'sufficient time', 'academic pressure', 'learning continuity', and 'childcare responsibilities' show good control of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is largely standard and functional rather than exceptionally sophisticated, it is used accurately and effectively to convey meaning. There are occasional attempts at less common lexical items, and word choices are generally natural and precise. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the response, ensuring that communication is never hindered by lexical limitations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial clauses and subordinate structures like 'While long school holidays can provide several important benefits...' and 'Parents who work full-time may struggle...'. Grammatical control is strong, with frequent error-free sentences and accurate punctuation throughout. Errors are extremely rare, and the few minor slips present do not impede communication or strain the reader. The grammar supports the clear articulation of complex ideas, reflecting a solid upper-intermediate to advanced command of English sentence architecture.

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