Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-15

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)

Primary and secondary schools shut down for two months or more in the summer vacations in numerous countries. I will discuss the value of long holidays and arguments in favour of short holidays in the eassay.

Long holidays provide some extra time for students through which they could be able to do some practical activities apart from studies. Children got too much stress in their daily routine of study, they just focus on studies and are not able to take part in physical activities, long holidays are beneficial for students who really want some free time apart from their studies and are interested in doing something that assist them to persue their goals. Extended vacations are also necessary because it help youngsters to think diffrently, one of the key significance of long holidays is that chirdren can focus on their physical health by playing some sports if they are interested but are not able to do that due to the shortage of time.

Furthermore, their are also some arguments among people who are in favour of shorter holidays. Few indiviuals argue that its better for chirldren to spend much time in schools or colleges because in this way they would get less time to contribute in any harsh or dangerous outdoor activities. Some people have fear that if their children got much more vacations, they would loose their concentration from studies. Other people believe that extended holidays are crucial, particular reason for this is students will be able to get into some modern skills.

In conclusion, extended holidays are significant dur to the fact, that it assist youngsters to focus on their physical activities like sports and mental health. Some indiviuals argue that shorter holidays are beneficial for students because in this way, children will get less time to take part in unnecessary activities and improve their focus on their curriculum proceedings.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions: the first body paragraph explains that longer breaks allow time for sport and other activities, while the next presents concerns about reduced study focus and risky outdoor activities. These points are relevant, but the discussion is only partly developed. For example, you mention that holidays help students pursue goals without explaining what activities or goals might be involved, and the argument for shorter breaks would benefit from a clearer explanation of how frequent school attendance supports learning. The sentence about modern skills appears to support longer holidays, so its placement among arguments for shorter holidays makes your position less clear. Develop each side with a specific example and keep the distinction between the two arguments clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “Furthermore” and “In conclusion” help signal these stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and ideas are joined in long sentences rather than developed in a controlled sequence. The shift from arguments for shorter holidays to “extended holidays are crucial” is particularly confusing because it reverses the paragraph’s focus. Some references, such as “this way,” do not clearly identify which idea they refer to, and the conclusion largely repeats earlier points. Use one main point per paragraph, connect each explanation directly to that point, and ensure transitions reflect the relationship between ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “physical activities,” “concentration,” “curriculum,” and “modern skills,” and you attempt less common expressions such as “extended vacations.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, which can make the message harder to follow. For instance, “contribute in any harsh or dangerous outdoor activities” does not clearly express the intended concern, while “loose their concentration from studies” is not a natural phrase. Spelling errors such as “eassay,” “persue,” and “diffrently” are also noticeable. Build a more precise vocabulary for discussing learning and leisure, and check spelling and common word partnerships when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “because” and “if,” but complex structures are often not controlled accurately. Errors in agreement and verb forms appear in examples such as “it help youngsters” and “Children got too much stress”; these should use a matching present-tense verb form and a more appropriate construction. There are also problems with articles and sentence boundaries, as in “particular reason for this is students will be able to get into some modern skills.” Several sentences run together through comma splices, especially in the paragraph beginning “Long holidays provide.” These errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Practise shorter, complete sentences first, then combine them with accurately formed subordinate clauses.

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