Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-26

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)

In my country summer holidays start from June and end on september 1st. So the summer holidays for three months. If i talk about the weather during these three months, these three months are peak months of summer so it is good tha the schools are closed. Because in these three months the heat usaully on its peak and cause many problems to the students. Dehydration, sun burn are the major problem in summers. Dehydration can even lead to death. For prevention that type of circumstances summer holidays are given.If take a deep look to the holidays the summer holidays are not just holidays for children but homework for each subject is assigned to the students so in the sense they are not totally cut off from studies. Students remain linked with studies in that way.

If we talk about shorter summer holidays.In some regions of my country the weather is not much hot and is bearable. So in that type of regions people usually argument for shorter holidays. Some schools also argument for shorter holidays they mostly are private institutes that focus on there results and want to utilize these holidays as a overtime to improve the result of there institute so that they can earn more admissions.

When i was a primary student in summers my school remain open as it was a private school and they just want there results nothing more from that.But i think summer holidays are very good way of protecting students from heat and relax them mentallt as well

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions: you explain that long summer breaks protect pupils from extreme heat and give them time to rest, and you present arguments for shorter breaks, including milder weather in some regions and schools’ desire to improve results. The personal example of your primary school adds relevant support. However, the discussion is only partly developed. The value of rest is mentioned briefly, while the case for shorter holidays is largely attributed to private schools’ interest in admissions rather than explored from students’ or families’ perspectives. Your position appears to favour long holidays, but the final sentence could state this more clearly and explain why the benefits outweigh the arguments for shorter breaks. Develop each point with a specific consequence or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall structure: it first discusses the benefits of long holidays, then turns to arguments for shorter ones, and ends with your personal view. This helps the reader follow the main topic. However, progression within paragraphs is uneven, and several ideas are joined in long or loosely connected sentences. For example, the sentence beginning “If take a deep look to the holidays” moves from assigned homework to students remaining connected with studies without a clear transition. Linking phrases such as “If we talk about” are repeated and sometimes make the organisation feel mechanical. Use clearer topic sentences, separate distinct points, and connect each explanation directly to the claim it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “dehydration,” “sun burn,” “private institutes,” and “admissions.” Some phrases also show an attempt to express more specific ideas, such as “peak months of summer.” However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or unnatural choices make parts of the response less clear, including “argument for shorter holidays,” “utilize these holidays as a overtime,” and “relax them mentally.” Spelling and word-form errors such as “usaully” and “mentallt” are also noticeable. Aim to learn common collocations for school calendars and student wellbeing, and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you explain the competing arguments without relying on repeated phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including explanations with “because” and a conditional idea about dehydration leading to death. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence formation and verb forms sometimes make the reader pause. For example, “So the summer holidays for three months” is missing a main verb, while “the weather … these three months are peak months” has an unclear subject and agreement. There are also recurring problems with articles, plurals, and tense, as in “the major problem” and “my school remain open.” Punctuation and spacing around sentence boundaries need attention too. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, then check agreement and tense before adding longer clauses.

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