Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-22

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 7.5)

Long summer holidays are a longstanding feature of school calendars in many countries. Although an extended break can provide significant benefits for children and their families, there are also strong arguments for shortening these holidays. In my view, the ideal school calendar should provide students with sufficient time to rest while avoiding unnecessarily long interruptions to their education.

One major benefit of lengthy summer holidays is that they allow students to recover from the demands of the academic year. School can be mentally and physically tiring, particularly for older students who face frequent examinations and assignments. A prolonged break gives them an opportunity to relax, pursue hobbies and spend quality time with their families. It can also support personal development because children have more freedom to participate in activities that are difficult to accommodate during term time, such as travelling, playing sports or attending cultural programmes. For example, a student who spends several weeks visiting relatives in another region may develop greater independence and learn about different ways of life.

However, shorter school holidays can offer important educational advantages. One concern with a very long break is that students may forget some of the knowledge and skills they acquired during the previous term, particularly in subjects such as mathematics and languages. Teachers may consequently need to spend part of the new academic year revising material before introducing new concepts. More frequent but shorter breaks could reduce this loss of learning while still giving students regular opportunities to rest. In addition, a shorter summer vacation may provide a more consistent routine, which can be particularly beneficial for younger children.

There are also practical advantages for working parents. When schools close for several months, parents may have difficulty arranging childcare, especially if they cannot take an extended period of leave from work. Shorter holidays could therefore make it easier for families to maintain their normal routines and reduce the financial burden associated with camps or private childcare.

In conclusion, long school holidays give students valuable time to rest, develop interests and strengthen family relationships. Nevertheless, shorter holidays can help maintain educational continuity and make childcare arrangements easier for working families. A balanced calendar, with regular breaks distributed throughout the year, could therefore combine the principal benefits of both approaches.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones, maintaining a clear and well-developed position throughout. In the second paragraph, the writer explains the benefits of an extended break, such as rest, pursuing hobbies, and personal development, supported by a clear example of visiting relatives. The subsequent paragraphs logically transition to the educational and practical advantages of shorter holidays, citing learning retention and childcare logistics. Ideas are thoroughly extended and supported, meeting all requirements of the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's position, followed by well-structured body paragraphs exploring the respective viewpoints, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without being obtrusive, as seen with transition markers like 'One major benefit', 'However', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used skillfully and appropriately to separate distinct ideas, fulfilling all criteria for a Band 8 performance.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer displays a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'longstanding feature', 'unnecessarily long interruptions', 'educational continuity', and 'financial burden' are used naturally and with a strong awareness of collocation. Word choice is precise throughout the essay, and spelling is entirely accurate. While the vocabulary is varied and sophisticated, it stops just short of the consistently natural and native-like control required for a Band 9, comfortably earning a Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses, conditional structures, and varied phrasing such as 'Although an extended break can provide significant benefits...' and 'When schools close for several months, parents may have difficulty...'. Punctuation is handled flawlessly. Grammatical control is consistently strong, with only very occasional minor slips, fully justifying a Band 8 rating.

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