Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-07

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)

In numerous countries, primary and secondary schools close for two or more than two months in the summer holidays. Although long school holidays may prove beneficial in favour of children because they can be able to learn moral and social values at home by spending time with their families, shorter school holidays may be benefited in favour of students as they can be able to achieve more academic knowledge.

Firstly, the long summer holidays from school may be a fundamental right to every student. This is because students can be able to spend more time with their households, which may have a positive effect on the childrens cognitive development. Moreover, the significant moral, ethical and social values can be instilled by parents when childrens spend more time with them. In addition, it is a fundamental right of a student to have a long break from the packed schedules of the schools. For instance, it is often said that when the students come back to their schools after spending holidays they become more energetic and excited towards education. Therefore, opponents maintain that long school holidays may be beneficial.

Nevertheless, a majority of people argue that school holidays should be shorter. This is because shorter school holidays can be productive in favour of children as they can spend more time in studies rather than spending time on playing video games and watching their mobile phones throughout the day. For example, if students have more leisure hours, they will spend their time while doing unnecessary activities rather than learning moral and ethical values. Therefore, school holidays should be shorter so that individuals can spend more time in educational institutions that can contribute in achieving higher grades in their schools.

Consequently, even though long primary and secondary school holidays may prove positive in favour of children because they can be able to learn significant skills at home by spending time with their families, shorter school holidays may be benefited in favour of students as they can be able to gain more academic knowledge.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses both questions: it gives reasons for long holidays, such as family time and a break from school routines, and argues that shorter holidays could allow more study. However, the discussion is only partially developed, which limits how fully the task is answered. The claim that a long break is a “fundamental right” is asserted rather than explained, and the shorter-holiday argument relies mainly on students otherwise playing games or using phones. The example about returning “more energetic and excited” is relevant but general. The conclusion repeats the opening rather than drawing together the comparison. Develop each side with a clearer explanation and a specific, plausible example. The response meets the stated length requirement; eight words copied from the prompt were excluded from the count.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each position, and a conclusion. Sequencing is generally easy to follow, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Nevertheless,” and “Therefore” help identify the argument’s direction. However, cohesion is often mechanical, with repeated use of “This is because,” “Moreover,” and “Therefore,” and the conclusion largely restates the introduction. Some links between claims are unclear: the example about leisure activities does not clearly support the preceding point about shorter holidays being productive, and the reference to learning moral values appears on both sides without explaining the distinction. Use fewer formulaic transitions and make the relationship between each reason and its example explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “cognitive development,” “moral, ethical and social values,” “packed schedules,” and “academic knowledge.” These choices show an attempt to discuss education beyond basic terms. However, several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural and recur throughout, such as “beneficial in favour of,” “may be benefited,” and “achieve more academic knowledge.” This repetition makes the expression less precise and can distract the reader. Some word choices also do not fit the intended meaning: “households” is used where “families” is meant, and “spending time on playing video games” is awkward. Aim for natural collocations and vary repeated phrases while keeping the vocabulary clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay attempts complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “Although,” “because,” and “when,” and most of the main ideas remain understandable. However, control is inconsistent, particularly in longer sentences and constructions with modal verbs. For example, “they can be able to learn” combines two ways of expressing ability, while “shorter school holidays may be benefited” has an incorrect passive construction. There are also agreement and plural-form errors in “the childrens cognitive development” and “when childrens spend,” as well as awkward sentence patterns such as “spend their time while doing.” These errors recur enough to limit accuracy. Practise building shorter, controlled clauses first, then combine them using varied complex structures.

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