Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-13

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 6.5)

In many areas of the world, primary and secondary schools remain close for the months of June and July or even till August due to summer vacations. This essay will discuss the value of long school holidays and provide arguments in the favour of shorter summer holidays.

Long holidays have several benefits. First of all, students have enough time to relax and relieve the stress of studying everyday. As a result, they come back to their education systems with fresh mind, and are ready to start learning again. Secondly, they get enough time to learn a new skill or adopt a hobby that they were unable to do because of the heavy loads of study. In this way, they can use this time to show their talent and may choose a field to continue in the future. Moreover, not only they have time to visit their hometowns or meet their extended families, but also go to trips with their parent which will strengthen their relationships.

Many people believe in reducing the span of these vacations. The proponents of this believe argue that students oftentimes forget what they learn before, and after coming back to schools, teachers have to revise the lessons instead of teaching new chapters of the syllabus. Moreover, it increases the responsibilities of working parents. As the presence of a caretaker is needed during this period because youngchildrens should not left alone at home.

In conclusion, longer holidays are paramount in terms of providing time to relax and learn a new skill but sometimes these vacations create learning gaps and exacerbate the problems for working parents.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses both questions and maintains a relevant focus. The benefits of longer breaks are explained through rest, learning a skill, and spending time with family; the case for shorter holidays includes students forgetting material and difficulties for working parents. These are appropriate ideas, but some are more fully developed than others. For example, the point about learning a hobby is linked to discovering a future field, while the concern about parents is stated briefly and would benefit from a concrete example or explanation of the practical impact. The conclusion summarises the main contrast, though it does not add much to the discussion. Developing each argument with a specific illustration would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a concluding summary. Ideas progress logically within the paragraphs, and signposting such as “First of all,” “Secondly,” “Moreover,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. The contrast between the value of long holidays and the arguments for shorter ones is also easy to identify. To strengthen cohesion further, vary the linking expressions rather than relying mainly on additive transitions, and make relationships between ideas more explicit. For instance, the sentence about working parents could connect more clearly to the need for childcare, while “not only … but also” could be used in a more balanced construction. Overall, the organisation is clear and effective.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for discussing the topic, with some attempts at more specific or less common language, including “relieve the stress,” “extended families,” “learning gaps,” and “exacerbate.” These choices help communicate the main points, and meaning remains clear despite occasional imprecision. However, some collocations and word forms are unnatural, such as “remain close,” “heavy loads of study,” and “go to trips.” “Paramount” is also stronger than the conclusion requires. Greater control of natural collocations and precise phrasing would improve flexibility and style; for example, use “schools remain closed,” “heavy study workload,” and “go on trips.” Check spelling and word formation as well, including “young children.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including cause-and-effect clauses (“As a result…”) and a relative clause (“a hobby that they were unable to do”). Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “with fresh mind” needs an article, and “youngchildrens should not left alone” has errors in spacing, plural formation, and the passive verb construction. The sentence beginning “Moreover, not only…” is also not grammatically balanced: the paired structure should match the actions being listed. Review articles, passive forms, plural nouns, and parallel constructions, then proofread each sentence. More consistent accuracy across these structures would make the range more effective.

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