Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

THERE HAS BEEN WIDELY TALKED ABOUT THE VALUE OF LONG SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OFTEN TWO OR MORE MONTHS IN SUMMER. WHILE THESE LONG SCHOOLS HOLIDAYS OFFER LONGER RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION TIME FOR THE CHILDREN, SOME BELIEVE SHORTER HOLIDAYS BENIFIT THE STUDENTS. IN MY OPINION, ALTHOUGH LONGER HOLIDAYS GIVE STUDENTS TO INVOLVE SUBJECTS OTHER THAN WHAT IS TAUGHT IN SCHOOL, SHORTER HOLIDAYS ARE MORE BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

MANY COUNTRIES APPRECIATE WHAT LONG SUMMER HOLIDAYS OFFER TO THEIR STUDENTS. BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS BELIEVE HOLIDAYS OFTEN ALLOWS STUDENTS TO REST AND REJUVENATE THEIR ENERGY. IN THE MEAN TIME, THEY VISIT NEW PLACES, LEARN NEW THINGS, INTERACT WITH UNIQUE CULTURES AND ARTS, TASTE WIDE VARIETY OF FOOD, HELP PARENTS IN THEIR HOUEHOLD CHORES. THESE ACTIVITY IS OFTEN MISSED IN THE SCHOOL DAYS, AS THEY ARE OFTEN ENGAGED IN SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT, PROJECTS, AND LONG CLASS HOURS STUDYING ONLY BOOKS. BECAUSE OF WHICH, HISTORICALLY, LONG SCHOOL HOLIDAY HAS BEEN FOLLOWED SINCE.

IN THE TODAYS WORLD, SHORTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE BEING PREFERRED OVER LONG SUMMER BREAKS. PARENTS BELIEVE LONG HOLIDAYS COULD DISCONNECT CHILDREN FROM THESTUDIES. EVENTHOUGH SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR NEARLY 2 MONTHS, PARENTS OUGHT TO PAY THE FEES FOR THOSE MONTHS. IN THE TIME, PARENTS HAVE TO TAKE BREAKS FROM THEIR WORK TO PLAN FOR CHILDRENS VACATION, PLAN FOR OUTDOOR VISITS LIKE GOING FOR SWIMMING, SKIING. AFTER LONG AND HECTIC HOUR, FAMILIES HAVE TO GIVE MORE TIME AND CARE FOR THEIR CHILDRENS HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECT WORK.

IN CONCLUSION, SUMMER BREAKS ARE MUST FOR THE CHILDRENS RELAXATION AND REUNION WITH THEIR GRAND PARENTS AND RELATIVES. HOWEVER, SHORTER HOLIDAYS ARE PREFERRED OVER LONGER.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both questions and give a clear overall view: long breaks allow rest and experiences beyond school, while shorter breaks are more beneficial for students and parents. The first body paragraph supports the value of holidays with examples such as visiting places and learning about other cultures. The second gives relevant arguments for shorter breaks, including children becoming disconnected from study and the demands placed on working parents. However, the case for shorter holidays is developed more fully than the educational or personal benefits of long breaks, and some points—such as school fees during holidays—need clearer explanation of why they support shorter breaks. To strengthen the response, explain the effects of each argument more explicitly and support the conclusion with a more balanced summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. This makes the main line of argument easy to identify. You also use basic signposting such as “In the meantime,” “However,” and “In conclusion.” At times, though, connections between ideas are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Because of which” does not form a clear link to the preceding list, and “In the time” is difficult to interpret. The final paragraph introduces reunion with relatives without connecting it clearly to the earlier discussion. Use more precise linking phrases and make sure each sentence develops the paragraph’s central point; clearer references between claims and explanations would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “rejuvenate,” “interact with unique cultures,” “disconnect children from the studies,” and “hectic.” These choices show an attempt to express ideas beyond basic terms. However, inaccurate spelling, word forms, and collocations are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less natural: “benifit,” “houehold chores,” “these activity,” and “longer relaxation” are examples. Some phrases also sound imprecise, such as “give students to involve subjects” and “wide variety of food.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations and check spelling carefully. For instance, use “allow students to explore subjects” and “a wide variety of foods.” This would make your vocabulary more precise while retaining your range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a concession in “although longer holidays…” and a contrast introduced by “Even though.” The overall meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction occur across the response. For example, “holidays often allows students” should have a plural verb, while “These activity is” has a mismatch between the determiner, noun, and verb. The opening sentence is also an awkward construction, and “After long and hectic hour” lacks the grammatical forms needed for a complete phrase. Work on building complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check singular/plural agreement and articles. More accurate control of these patterns would make your complex ideas easier to follow.

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