Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In many countries, schools give students a summer holiday lasting two months or more. While long holidays provide several benefits, there are also strong arguments for reducing their length.

One major advantage of long school holidays is that students have enough time to relax after a demanding academic year. Continuous studying can be stressful, so a long break allows children to recover mentally and physically. Moreover, students can use this time to develop skills outside the classroom. For example, they may travel with their families, play sports, learn a musical instrument or attend short courses. These activities can improve their confidence and social skills. Long holidays can also give families more opportunities to spend quality time together.

On the other hand, shorter school holidays can help students maintain their academic progress. After a very long break, children may forget some of the information they learned during the previous term, meaning that teachers have to spend time reviewing old material. Shorter holidays can reduce this problem and help students maintain a regular study routine. In addition, a shorter break may be more convenient for working parents, who may struggle to find childcare during lengthy holidays. For instance, parents with full-time jobs may need to arrange expensive childcare services if their children stay at home for several weeks.

In conclusion, long holidays are valuable because they allow students to rest, spend time with their families and pursue other interests. However, shorter holidays can support continuous learning and make life easier for working parents. Therefore, schools should aim for a balance between sufficient rest and regular education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones. The writer's position is clear throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as children learning musical instruments or traveling with families, as well as the childcare challenges faced by working parents. The arguments are balanced and logical, fulfilling the requirements for a Band 7.0 performance nicely.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction, moving to the advantages of long holidays, then the counter-arguments for shorter breaks, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the text without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision, using appropriate topic-specific terms such as 'demanding academic year', 'regular study routine', and 'expensive childcare services'. There are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary like 'recover mentally and physically' and 'continuous learning'. Word choices are generally accurate and appropriate for an academic context, with no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial clauses like 'meaning that teachers have to spend time reviewing old material' and 'if their children stay at home for several weeks'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and the grammar and punctuation are well-controlled throughout. Minor errors are virtually non-existent, demonstrating a solid command of sentence formation suitable for a Band 7.0.

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