Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29

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)

Every year in summer, the temperature is approximately higher than other seasons, so there is a high chances of heat strokes and other disease which could cause children health for that reason there is break on study in summer. In most of the countries, primary and secondary schools remain shut down for a couple of months in summer. This essay will explore both perspectives and discuss value of long and short school holidays.

On one hand, those who are in favour of short holidays argue that due to the long hollidays children divert their focus from study to playing activities. For example, they have no fear of home work and task completion, because there will no class next day that's why they spend most of their time in different sports activities.

On the other hand, those who support long holidays, believe that it is good for children's physical and mental health, because during summer, temperatures are high that could put children's health at risk. However, they think that it is benefical for children to stay at home, so that they can stay away from such sickness.

Additionally, if long holidays are suitalble for students health then negation of study is also a concern, so there should be an alternative approch to balance both arguments. For instance, parents have to maintain both study and play for their children.

In conslusion, both arguements have there equal concerns, in long holidays concentration on study shifted to playing activites, whereas, if the temperature is not in the favour of child health more time for holidays should be consider.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the value of long school holidays and the arguments in favour of shorter ones, as seen when the writer explores physical health benefits versus the diversion of focus from studies. A clear position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. However, the ideas are somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly regarding the high temperatures and health risks, which are mentioned multiple times without deep extension. While the prompt is answered, the development remains basic and lacks more detailed examples. This aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors, where all parts are addressed with relevant ideas, though some are under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure, including a distinct introduction, body paragraphs addressing each viewpoint, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used to signal transitions, such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical, as seen in awkward transitions like 'Additionally, if long holidays are suitalble for students health then negation of study is also a concern'. Furthermore, paragraphing could be improved to better group related ideas. These features fit the Band 6 level, where information is arranged coherently, but cohesive devices can be faulty or mechanical and referencing is not always clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate their main ideas about school holidays, temperatures, and student health. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as 'perspectives', 'concentration', and 'alternative approach'. However, there are numerous spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text, including 'hollidays', 'benefical', 'suitalble', 'approch', and 'arguements'. Some phrasing is also unnatural, such as 'negation of study'. Because these errors do not severely impede overall communication, the vocabulary aligns with the Band 5 to Band 6 threshold, leaning slightly closer to Band 5 due to noticeable spelling and morphological inaccuracies.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional structures such as 'if the temperature is not in the favour of child health more time for holidays should be consider.' However, there are frequent grammatical errors, incorrect prepositions, and punctuation issues, including run-on sentences like 'For example, they have no fear of home work and task completion, because there will no class next day that's why they spend most of their time in different sports activities.' Passive voice and verb agreement errors are also present. These frequent errors and the limited control over complex structures place the grammar firmly in the Band 5 category, where attempts at complex sentences are often faulty.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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