Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-26

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 6.0)

In many countries, primary and secondary schools have a long break during summer. This essay will discuss the benefits of long school holidays and the reasons why shorter breaks may be preferable. One major benefit of long school holidays is that they give students enough time to rest and recover from academic pressure. During the school year, student have to attend classes, complete assignments and prepare for examinations. For example, a long summer break allow them to spend time with their families, travel or take part in sport and hobbies. As a result, they return to school feeling refreshed and more motivated to study. Another advantage is the student can use this extra time to develop useful skills outside the classroom. They can learn activities such as cooking, swimming, programming or playing a musical instrument. For instance, a student may join a short computer course during the summer break. This can improve their practical skills and make them more independent. On the other hand, shorter school holidays can help student maintain their academic progress. When students stay away from their studies for several months, they may forget some of the information they have learned. For example, student may need to spend the first few weeks of a new term reviewing old lessons. Therefore, shorter breaks may allow teachers to continue lessons more efficiently. In conclusion, long holiday are valuable because they allow student to rest, spend time with their families and develop practical skills. However, shorter breaks can support continuous learning and reduce difficulties for working parents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing both the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter breaks. A clear position is maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are adequately supported with relevant examples, such as students learning cooking or programming and the issue of academic regression over long breaks. While some points could be slightly more fully extended to reach higher bands, the overall coverage of the prompt is solid, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression and logical organisation. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the benefits of long holidays, the arguments for shorter breaks, and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another advantage', and 'On the other hand' are employed effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions are used, which aligns well with the descriptors for a Band 7 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, such as 'academic pressure', 'continuous learning', and 'practical skills'. There are several instances of minor word form and pluralisation errors, such as 'student have to' instead of 'students have', 'allow them' instead of 'allows them', and 'long holiday are' instead of 'long holidays are'. However, these errors do not impede communication, and the vocabulary is adequate for the task, fitting the Band 6 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising conditional and relative structures like 'When students stay away from their studies for several months, they may forget...' There are noticeable grammatical errors regarding subject-verb agreement and pluralisation throughout the essay, including 'the student can use' and 'student may need'. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede overall communication, reflecting the characteristics of a Band 6 performance in grammar.

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