Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Several primary and secondary schools are closed for two months or more than that in various countries due to summer holidays. I believe the value behind lengthy holidays for students to do some skill based practical course which helps them financially. Although, shorter holidays also gives students a space for mental relaxation and personal development.

On one hand, lengthy summer holidays gives a long break to the students in which they can learn multiple skills and make it valuable. For instance, if a student enroll in a financial management course he can learn essentials things like expense management and how to earn money, with the help of that he can manage his expenses responsibly or can earn in leisure time by providing services to other which eventually make him competitive in market after completing the school.

On the other hand, short holidays on different occasion also gives students a relaxation after continous study schedule. It also allow students to enjoy extra curricular activities as well which assist them in personal development. For example mostly students unable to play sports in a week days because of the intense study schedule so they play it on weekends or occassional holidays which makes them strong mentally and physically and due to sports they learn skills like teamwork which contributes to their peronal growth.

In a nutshell, often shorter holidays allows students to enjoy their hobbies with their friends which results in mind relaxation which they dont do in working days while i believe longer holidays enable students to learn practicall skills which can be very benificial in their life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both questions and present a clear contrast: longer breaks can allow students to develop practical skills, while shorter breaks offer relaxation and opportunities for sport and personal growth. The financial-management example gives the first point some useful detail, and the sports example supports the second. However, the value of long holidays is framed mainly around taking courses and possible earnings; other benefits, such as rest, family time or travel, are not explored. The case for shorter holidays also focuses on occasional breaks rather than explaining why shorter summer holidays specifically may be preferable. Develop these comparisons more fully and make the link to the length of the holidays explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion. The signposts “On one hand” and “On the other hand” make the main progression easy to follow, and examples are placed alongside the points they support. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent organisation and shows some of the flexibility associated with stronger cohesion. However, the contrast is somewhat mechanical, and the conclusion introduces “shorter holidays” as the main benefit before restating the longer-holiday position, which makes the final emphasis less clear. Some sentences also carry several linked ideas, particularly the financial-management example. Use clearer internal links and ensure the conclusion synthesises the two arguments in a balanced way.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including topic-related phrases such as “financial management,” “personal development,” “intense study schedule” and “teamwork.” There are also attempts at less common expressions, such as “competitive in market,” though this collocation is not natural in context. Noticeable word-choice, word-form and spelling problems limit precision: “skill based practical course,” “essentials things,” “extra curricular,” “occassional” and “practicall skills” would benefit from correction. Some wording is also repetitive, especially “students” and “holidays.” Build a more accurate range of collocations for education and wellbeing, and check spelling and word forms carefully so the reader can follow your ideas without distraction.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional example (“if a student enrolls…”) and clauses linked with “which” and “because.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Subject–verb agreement is inconsistent in “lengthy summer holidays gives” and “short holidays…gives”; the opening fragment “Although, shorter holidays also gives…” is not a complete contrast structure. There are also issues with articles and sentence construction, as in “after completing the school” and the long sentence beginning “For instance,” which joins several ideas without clear control. Aim to make agreement consistent, form complete sentences after linking words, and divide long examples into shorter, accurately punctuated sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.