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)

People hold differing views about school closing both primary and secondary for two months or more in summer holidays well from my prespective it is beneficial for the students because at young age they need some break from constat study routines they should be given tasks to do in summer holidays or go to the summer camps.This essay will discuss both the questions.

Firstly the value of long school holidays for youngsters is that it provide essential mental and physical recovery from accedemic burnout. Childrens usually spend thier time with family to strenghten relationships and space for personal growth through traveling and more for eample if a kid spend his time in traveling his exploration and knowledge capabilities will gain aoutomatically.

Secondly, there are pssitive arguments in favour of shorter school holidays because the childers don't get lazy and are more focused to their studies for instance students are good in the studies and physical activities they get time to relax their mind long holidays just lose your intrest in that thats why short holidays are better than long school holidays.

In conclusion, while the value of long school holidays is essential for their mental and physical recovery from accedemic burnout it makes your bond strong with your family more as you spend most of the time with them. Furthermore possitive arguments of shorter school holidays that they don;t become lazy and lack their intrest in studies.In my opinnion the shorter holidays are enough and beneficial for the students mental and physical growth.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions and give a clear overall view: long breaks allow recovery and family time, while shorter breaks may help students stay focused. The examples of travelling and spending time with family are relevant, but they are only briefly explained; for instance, explain how travel develops knowledge or why regular shorter breaks support learning. The case for shorter holidays is less fully developed and includes a confusing contrast: you say students have time to relax, then claim long holidays reduce interest, without explaining how shorter holidays balance rest and study. Your conclusion repeats the main points rather than adding support. Develop each argument with a specific example and make the comparison between the two holiday patterns clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, particularly in the shorter-holidays paragraph, where the ideas about focus, physical activities, relaxation, and loss of interest are joined without a clear relationship. The introduction also moves quickly from your opinion to the essay plan. Use linking phrases to show cause and contrast, and make sure each paragraph develops one central point in a logical order. Clearer referencing would also help readers identify whose interest or motivation is being discussed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “mental and physical recovery,” “burnout,” “personal growth,” and “relationships,” which helps communicate the main ideas. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “constat study routines,” “knowledge capabilities will gain,” and “lack their intrest in studies.” Frequent spelling errors—including “prespective,” “accedemic,” and “strenghten”—also distract the reader and can make meaning harder to follow. Build a reliable set of phrases for discussing education and holidays, and check spelling carefully. Prefer precise expressions such as “maintain interest in learning” and “develop knowledge” over improvised combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a reason clause in “because at young age they need some break” and a conditional example beginning “if a kid spend his time in traveling.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include subject–verb agreement (“it provide”), plural forms (“Childrens”), and faulty sentence construction in “students are good in the studies and physical activities they get time to relax their mind.” Punctuation is also weak: the opening is a run-on, and the final paragraph contains a sentence joined with a full stop where the ideas need clearer separation. Practise accurate sentence boundaries, agreement, and complete clause structures before adding more complexity.

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