Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The importance of short and long school holidays, which has always been debatable, has now up surged a lot of favor and against it, thus it has become even more controversial. In my opinion, its can be agreed that upside of short and long school holidays is instrumental indeed; however, it has some drawbacks as well. This essay will elaborate both assertions and will provide a well-balanced conclusion.

At the outset, there are numerous reasons why short and long school holidays is unreservedly salient but most consciuous one lies in the fact that the perks associated with short and long school holidays not only greatly influenced on individuals but also has left a great impact on society. For instance, in recent years it has developed as ease and efficacy when comes about short and long school holidays. Moreover, it is certainly a vital time for people to appreciate the significance of short and long schools holidays for overall betterment of society.The importance of short holidays is more because, student can attach with their acadamic activities.

On the other hand, there are some people who think differently and hold as opposing idea which can certainly overwhelm the potential influence of short and long schools holidays. There are some drawbacks as high prices of utilities; similaraly, more criminal activities could be disadvantages. Hence, it is apparent that the downside of short and long holidays cannot be overlooked. The most significance drawback of long holidays, after that holidays student cannot focus on studies properly.

To sum up, the above mentioned dissertation illustrate both perspective that the impact of short and long school holidays, while it is evident that it has various benefit, its deleterious effact cannot be ignored and have to be addressed and well-balanced against it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response recognises that the topic involves both longer and shorter holidays and gives a broad opinion that benefits and drawbacks should be balanced. However, it addresses the two questions only minimally: the value of long holidays is not clearly explained, and the case for shorter holidays is reduced to the vague claim that students can stay connected with academic activities. The examples about utility prices and crime are not linked convincingly to school holiday length, so they do not support the argument. The conclusion repeats the idea of benefits and harms without resolving which arguments are most persuasive. To strengthen the response, explain specific effects—for example, rest, family time, or travel during long breaks, and continuity of learning during shorter breaks—and support each with relevant reasoning or an example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The essay has a recognisable introduction, two body paragraphs presenting contrasting sides, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “At the outset,” “On the other hand,” and “To sum up” help identify these sections. However, progression within the paragraphs is weak: repeated references to “short and long school holidays” take the place of clear links between ideas, and several claims appear without explanation. The first body paragraph moves from general statements to academic activities without showing how the points connect; the second introduces prices and crime before shifting to students’ study focus. Some linking phrases, including “Hence” and “after that,” do not express the intended relationship clearly. Organise each paragraph around one main argument, then develop it with an explanation and a relevant example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response attempts a range of formal and evaluative vocabulary, including “salient,” “potential influence,” “drawbacks,” and “deleterious.” However, many choices are inaccurate, repetitive, or unnatural, which sometimes makes the intended meaning difficult to follow. Phrases such as “up surged a lot of favor and against it,” “most consciuous one,” and “developed as ease and efficacy” are not idiomatic or clear. The repeated phrase “short and long school holidays” also limits precision. Spelling and word-form errors, including “acadamic,” “similaraly,” and “effact,” further weaken control. Aim for simpler, precise expressions that fit the argument, and use specific terms such as “extended summer break,” “learning continuity,” and “academic progress” rather than repeating the topic wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There are attempts to use complex structures, including “which has always been debatable” and “while it is evident that…,” but control is inconsistent and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to understand. Examples include “its can be agreed,” “short and long school holidays is,” and “student can attach,” where pronouns, agreement, or sentence structure are faulty. The sentence beginning “For instance, in recent years…” lacks a clear grammatical construction, while “The most significance drawback… after that holidays student cannot focus” is incomplete and difficult to interpret. Punctuation and spacing also need attention, as in “society.The importance.” Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then add subordinate clauses, checking subject–verb agreement, articles, plurals, and complete sentence structure.

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