Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-11

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 many countries, schools remain closed for a couple of months during summer vacations. The extended holidays provide time for relaxation and extra curricular activities. While, during shorter school holidays the students remain more connected to the studies.

To commence with, closure of schools for longer time involves students in curricular activities particularly sports, music or learning different skills. Moreover, its a great time to travel and learn new things. For instance, pupils travelling to new countries can vast their knowledge about different cultures and traditions. Similarly, taking part in various sports could aid in maintaining good physical and mental health.

In shorter school break, learners have reduced time for activities and travelling so they remain more connected to their studies. In long holidays, students have plenty of time so they neglect their studies and teachers have to focus on the previous lectures. Moreover, during shorter holidays scholars know they have to attend school after some time. As a result, maintaining attendence is easier for the students. Consequently, regular attendence encourages the students connected with studies. Shorter school holidays are more advatnageous for pupils in terms of studies and discipline.

To conclude, Although, extended school holidays could be beneficial in terms of physical activities and maintaining a better health but shorter school holidays are advantageous in terms of learning, discipline and maintaining a balance between these things. In my opinion, both things are favorable in transforming a child into a better person

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions: the first body paragraph explains how long holidays allow sports, music, travel and cultural learning, while the next gives reasons shorter breaks may help students stay focused and attend regularly. Your conclusion also states a preference for shorter holidays in relation to learning and discipline, although the final claim that both options are favourable makes your position less definite. Several points remain general: for example, you say students “neglect their studies” during long breaks without explaining how this affects learning or giving a specific example. The response is also 8 words below the required minimum. Develop the comparison with clearer supporting detail and make your overall view consistent to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the benefits of each holiday length, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “For instance,” and “As a result” help show relationships between ideas. However, progression within the shorter-holidays paragraph becomes repetitive: the points about staying connected to studies, attendance, and discipline overlap, and “Consequently” repeats a similar result rather than advancing the argument. The opening “While” sentence is also awkwardly joined to the preceding idea, and the conclusion begins with “Although” but does not complete a clear contrast. Group related points more tightly, use references that make links explicit, and ensure each connector accurately reflects the relationship between sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “curricular activities,” “different cultures and traditions,” “physical and mental health,” and “maintaining a balance.” These choices allow you to discuss both recreation and learning. However, several inaccurate or unnatural expressions limit precision, such as “vast their knowledge,” “remain more connected to the studies,” and “closure of schools for longer time involves students in curricular activities.” There are also spelling errors in “attendence” and “advatnageous,” and “its” is used where the possessive form is needed. Aim for more natural collocations and check spelling and word forms carefully; this will make your ideas easier to follow and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a conditional-style explanation with “As a result” and a concession in the conclusion. Some sentence patterns communicate the main ideas clearly, such as “Moreover, during shorter holidays scholars know they have to attend school after some time.” However, complex structures are not consistently controlled. The opening “While” clause is a fragment, and the conclusion’s “Although” clause is not properly connected to the main clause. There are also errors in articles and sentence punctuation, for example “for longer time” and the comma after “To conclude.” Practise completing subordinate clauses and checking article use and punctuation, while retaining the variety of sentence forms you are attempting.

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