Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

In different countries of the world, primarary and secondary schools remain close for two or more months in the summer holidays. This essay will discuss the benefits of long school holidays and also the advantages of shorter school holidays.

One major benefit of long school holidays is that student can take rest from daily routine of school and also the homework. This is because they can have a break from daily chores and pressure of daily work. For example, students can play different sports like cricket, football and badminton during this holiday period to focus on developing their physical health and it also helps to have mental relief. Therefore, long school holidays are beneficial for students to maintain their body active and also they can feel fresh when going back to school.

On the other hand, shorter school holidays also have advantages. One main reason is that students can retain what they have learned before the short holidays. This is because regular lessons and revisions can prevent long intereptions to learning. Consequently, teachers spend less time reviewing previous materials and can focus on the new topics. For instance, students can practice mathematics regularly throughout the year so they can not forget the lessons they had practice and also practice makes mind perfect. Another benefit is that shorter school breaks can make childcare easier for working parents.

In conclusion, long schools holidays allow students to participate in different sports and also they can feel fresh when heading back to school, whereas shorter breaks can help students to focus on daily topics and do practics. It also helps teachers to not revise the older subject and focus on new topics.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions and maintain a relevant comparison: long holidays give students time to rest and play sports, while shorter breaks may help them retain learning and support working parents with childcare. However, the discussion is unevenly developed. The benefits of long holidays are mainly described through sports and feeling refreshed, while the shorter-holiday argument about learning is clearer but the childcare point is only briefly mentioned. Some claims also need fuller explanation or a more specific example; for instance, explain how a longer break supports students’ wellbeing beyond physical activity. To strengthen the response, develop each main benefit with a clear explanation and relevant example, and make the comparison between the two types of holiday more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. The progression from long-holiday benefits to shorter-holiday arguments is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help guide the reader. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent arrangement and shows some features of stronger organisation. However, links within sentences are sometimes mechanical, particularly the repeated “This is because” and “also,” and the conclusion largely repeats earlier points rather than drawing them together. Improve cohesion by varying how you connect explanations and examples, and use clearer referencing so that each “it” or “they” has an unmistakable antecedent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “daily routine,” “physical health,” “retain,” “revisions,” and “childcare.” These choices show some range beyond very basic wording. However, several noticeable spelling, word-form, and collocation problems reduce precision, such as “intereptions,” “practics,” “practice makes mind perfect,” and “maintain their body active.” Some expressions are also repetitive, including repeated references to “topics” and “practice.” Aim to learn accurate word partnerships and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise alternatives would help you express the educational and wellbeing arguments naturally without changing the meaning of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including explanations with “because,” a result clause beginning “Consequently,” and a contrast introduced by “whereas.” Most ideas remain understandable, and errors do not generally prevent communication. Some grammatical inaccuracies are present, however. For example, “student can take rest” needs a plural subject and an article or more natural construction, while “students can not forget the lessons they had practice” has problems with the verb phrase and tense. There are also agreement and article issues in “long schools holidays” and “it also helps.” Review subject–verb agreement, articles, and verb forms, then proofread longer sentences to ensure that each clause is grammatically complete.

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.