Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-21

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)

As summer holidays are increasing in many countries due to intense summer weather, but these countries closes the schools for two months or more depending on weather condition for primary and secondary level students. The long school holidays can make students more lazy and slacker which can cost their entire productive age in nothing or blank-minded. Although, the arguments in favor of shorter school holidays is still have different opinions, but I think that is not the long term solution for this.

Firstly, the value of long school holidays is not a constructive suggestion for many countries. The most paramount reason behind this is that students who were already weak in some specific part of studies, they will became empty-minded by the end of their holidays. And then, it would be more difficult to understand the things because there minds were already devoted to comfort-zone. Although, many students are obsessed with their studies but I think they may also loses some of their interest in gaining knowledge. Recently, researches on this topic made me shockingly surprised that students who were in secondary schools, started playing video games instead of completing research-based projects.

Secondly, the arguments in favor of shorter school holidays are increasing but these are still contradicting in many cases. Many parents believe that school holidays must be shorter in summer seasons because long holidays are drastically affecting their children education. In addition, some people believe that school holidays must be of only one month, and if weather condition is not good so schools may move to online classes system.

In my opinion, I strongly agree with the arguments of people that I mentioned in third-paragraph because it is good for those specific countries future. And I believe online classes system is one of the best solution for summer holidays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions and give a position, especially in the final paragraph, where you support shorter holidays and online learning. However, the response does not fully explain the value of long holidays: the first body paragraph mainly argues that they harm students, rather than identifying benefits such as rest, family time, or opportunities outside school. The case for shorter holidays is also presented mostly as what parents believe, with limited explanation of how shorter breaks might improve learning or routines. Your view that shorter holidays are not a long-term solution in the introduction also conflicts with your later agreement with shorter holidays. Develop both sides with relevant reasons and examples, and keep your position consistent.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs beginning with “Firstly” and “Secondly,” and a conclusion. This helps the reader identify the two main parts of the discussion. However, progression is limited because the first body paragraph focuses almost entirely on disadvantages of long holidays, while the task asks for their value. Some links are mechanical or unclear, including “Although” at the start of the first paragraph and “because” in the conclusion, where the relationship between ideas is difficult to follow. The reference to “third-paragraph” is also confusing, since the relevant point is not clearly identified. Use clearer topic sentences, connect each reason to its explanation, and make the conclusion follow directly from the position established in the introduction.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “productive age,” “research-based projects,” “contradicting,” and “online classes system.” These choices show an effort to discuss education beyond very basic terms. However, several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural and sometimes make the meaning harder to understand: “more lazy and slacker,” “empty-minded,” “devoted to comfort-zone,” and “made me shockingly surprised.” Some words are also repeated, particularly “school holidays” and “students,” and “constructive suggestion” does not clearly express your intended point. Aim for precise, natural collocations and use a few alternatives such as “school breaks,” “pupils,” or “academic progress.” Check word forms and spelling, including “research” when used as an uncountable noun.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt complex sentences with clauses introduced by “although,” “because,” and “if,” but these structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “these countries closes the schools” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the arguments … is still have different opinions” combines incompatible verb forms. Other problems include “students who were already weak … they will became,” “there minds,” and “one of the best solution,” involving clause structure, tense, pronoun, and plural agreement. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly the opening sentence, which begins with “As” but then shifts into a separate main clause. Practise building shorter, complete sentences first, then add subordinate clauses while checking agreement and verb forms.

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