Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-20

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 5.0)

SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD HAS SUMMER VACATIONS FOR A LONG TIME WHICH INSTITUTIONS ARE CLOSED FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. HAVING SCHOOL HOLIDAY HOLDS THE VALUE OF TIME WHICH CHILDREN COULD BE WITH THERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WHILE OTHERS ARGUE THE FAVOUR OF HAVING SHORTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THAN THE USUAL.

MOST INSTITUTIONS ARE HAVING A LONG TERM BREAK FOR THE WELLNESS OF THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFFS. THIS IS THE TIME WHERE MOST OF THEM WOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY AND BOND WITH THERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS. FOR INSTANCE, THEY COULD USE THIS TIME TO TRAVEL, HAVE FAMILY VACATIONS AND BOND WITH OTHERS. THESE EXPERIENCE COULD BE HELPFUL TO STUDENTS TO NOT JUST LEARN AROUND THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE CLASSROOM BUT EXPERIENCE HOW THINGS WORK IN A REAL-WORLD SITUATIONS. A CHANGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT OTHER THAN SCHOOL IS BETTER WAY TO TAKE A BREAK FROM SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND DEADLINES.

OTHERS ARGUE THAT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS SHOULD BE SHORTER THAN THE USUAL TWO MONTHS BREAK. MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS BETTER TO STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON THEIR ACADEMIC MORE. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD SHOULD NOT JUST HINDER THERE LEARNINGS JUST BY ATTENDING SCHOOL. CHILDREN MUST ALSO BE EXPOSED TO OTHER ENVIRONMENT WHICH COULD HELP THEM LEARN AND EXPERIENCE BY THEMSELVESAND WITH THE PEOPLE ARROUND THEM.

IN CONCLUSION, THERE SHOULD BE NO HINDRANCE WHEN IT COMES TO LEARNING. A CHANGE TO ENVIRONMENT OTHER THAN SCHOOL COULD HELP CHILDREN BETTER LEARN THROUGH EXPERIENCE. HAVING THAT MUCH LONG PERIOD COULD HELP THEM RECHARGE AND BE READY THEMSELVES FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both questions: the first body paragraph explains the value of a long break through family time, travel and learning outside the classroom, while the next acknowledges the case for shorter holidays by referring to academic focus. However, the second question is only briefly developed: you mention why people favour shorter breaks but do not explain specific benefits, such as maintaining study routines or reducing the need to review forgotten material. Your position is also not fully clear, since you present the shorter-holiday argument and then mainly defend long holidays without directly weighing the two. Develop both sides with concrete reasons and examples, and state your view clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two perspectives and a conclusion. This helps readers follow the broad topic. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the second body paragraph moves from the argument for shorter holidays to your own view without explaining the connection. Linking phrases such as “While others argue” and “In conclusion” are useful, but transitions are limited and some references are difficult to follow, including “that much long period.” Organise each paragraph around one clear main idea, then explain and illustrate it before moving on. A clearer comparison between the two positions would also strengthen the overall flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “academic,” “environment,” “experience” and “recharge,” and you attempt phrases such as “real-world situations.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, which sometimes makes the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “school holiday holds the value of time” does not express the benefit naturally, and “focus on their academic” is incomplete. There are also spelling errors, such as “arround,” and repeated use of “bond” and “children.” Build a more precise range for discussing education and holidays, and check spelling and natural word combinations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including “While others argue…” and sentences explaining how experiences outside school may help children learn. However, errors are frequent, and some make the intended meaning harder to understand. Examples include subject–verb disagreement in “Schools… has,” incorrect possessive forms in “there family,” and the incomplete construction “it is better to students.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly in the long sentence beginning “These experience could be helpful…” and the final paragraph. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, possessives, articles and complete sentence patterns. Aim first for clear, controlled sentences, then add complex clauses.

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