Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-16

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)

In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays. While shorter school holidays allow children to maintain their learning routine, I believe that longer holidays will be more beneficial. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On one hand, shorter holidays help the students to maintain their learning habits and also help them to adjust back in their schools easily. For example, in shorter holidays, students read and revise their lessons on a daily basis and do not face any difficulty to manage their routine when they return back to school after holidays. Secondly, they do not have much learning loss if students have few holidays because they have less time away from their academics.

On the other hand, longer holidays help students to relax from their academic pressure. Students can sleep properly and take part in recreational activities. Moreover, during the lengthy holidays students get the opportunity to spend time with their families. For instance, a family plans to visit their relatives or they may have trips to other cities during a long summer break. Furthermore, students get sufficient time to develop new skills and hobbies. They learn new skills like swimming, sports, painting and cooking. However, they travel and explore new places with their friends and family members.

To conclude, although shorter breaks help students to maintain a learning routine and do not experience much learning loss, I believe that longer holidays are more beneficial than the shorter holidays as they provide relaxation to their mental health, give opportunity to spend their quality time with their family and allow them to learn new skills.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both questions and state a consistent view: shorter breaks support learning continuity, while longer holidays offer greater overall benefits. Relevant reasons include reduced learning loss, time to relax, family visits, and opportunities to develop hobbies. However, some points are asserted rather than fully explained. For example, the claim that students “do not have much learning loss” during shorter holidays would be stronger with a brief explanation or example of how regular study helps. The benefits of longer holidays are more fully listed, but the link between these activities and students’ wellbeing could also be developed. To strengthen the response, explain the consequences of each main point and support at least one with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two positions, and a conclusion that restates your opinion. Signposting such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “To conclude” helps readers follow the discussion. Within paragraphs, however, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The sequence “Moreover… Furthermore… However” introduces several benefits, but “However” does not express a contrast with the preceding ideas. The sentence beginning “Secondly” also shifts from students’ habits to learning loss without making the relationship explicit. Use linking phrases that show the precise relationship between ideas, and organise each body paragraph around a clear main point followed by explanation and an example.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “learning routine,” “learning loss,” “recreational activities,” and “develop new skills.” These choices make your main ideas clear, and you attempt some less common expressions. Some word choices and collocations are less natural, though: “adjust back in their schools,” “relax from their academic pressure,” and “provide relaxation to their mental health” do not express the intended meanings idiomatically. “Quality time” is also more natural as “quality time with their families.” Aim to learn vocabulary in common combinations and choose precise phrases, such as “return to school,” “take a break from academic pressure,” and “support their mental wellbeing.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including a concession clause in the conclusion and sentences with “while,” “because,” and “although.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. In “do not face any difficulty to manage their routine,” the verb pattern after “difficulty” is incorrect; use “difficulty managing.” The sentence “Secondly, they do not have much learning loss if students have few holidays” also shifts from “they” to “students,” making the reference unclear. In “students get the opportunity,” the plural subject would more naturally take “opportunities” when referring generally. Review verb patterns, pronoun reference, and agreement, while continuing to use varied sentence structures.

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.