Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-27

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)

it is undeniable fact that long summer holidats are common feature of school system in many countries. Although some people consider it negative, i believe it to be extremely benefcicial not only because, rest and refreshment and personal development but also because time fo teachers to prepare. this essay will explore how these factors make this decison a positive one

there multiple benefits of this decision. To begin with this one of the prime advantage of this determination is rest and refreshment, it means students get relief from the stress os exams, homework and early mornings. they can sleep proplerly and relax their mind. For example,after 9 months continous study, a student feels burned out. A 2 months holidays help him recover his energy and come back to school with a frsh mind.Thus, this benefit can almost single handily make this choice positive one.

In addition, another major pros linked with this decision is personal development, long holidays give free time to do things that are not taught in school, like learning a new hobby, sport, language, or doing a part-time job. this helpsin overall personality growth.For instance, during summer holidays, many students join swimming course, learn English speaking.Hence , this benefit clearly over shadow of any disadvantage.

Further-more, another considerable merit associated with this resolution is time for teachers to prepare,it is not only beneficial for students but also for teachers. Teachers get time to rest, attend training workshops, and plan better lessons for the next year.For example, a teacher can use the summer break to attend a computer training course, so she can teach her students with new technology in the next session.

In conclusion this Judgment is a positive not only because rest and refreshment and personal development but also because time for teachers to prepare.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response gives a clear positive view of long summer holidays and offers relevant reasons: students can recover from academic stress, develop interests, and teachers can rest or prepare lessons. Examples such as joining a swimming course and attending computer training help illustrate these points. However, the task also asks for arguments in favour of shorter holidays, and this side is not discussed; the essay instead presents only benefits of long breaks and briefly refers to disadvantages without explaining them. The ideas that are included are understandable but mostly asserted rather than explored in depth. To address the task more fully, explain at least one case for shorter breaks, such as maintaining learning continuity, and develop the comparison between the two approaches.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph focuses on a distinct benefit, and signposts such as “To begin with” and “In addition” help readers follow the sequence. However, progression is somewhat mechanical: repeated phrases such as “another major” and “this benefit” make the links feel formulaic, while the conclusion simply repeats the introduction. Some connections are unclear or awkward, including “Hence, this benefit clearly over shadow of any disadvantage,” which does not clearly express the relationship between the point and the conclusion. Use cohesive devices more selectively, make references explicit, and organise the essay around both sides of the question.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses a reasonable range of topic-related vocabulary, including “burned out,” “personal development,” “training workshops,” and “plan better lessons.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and there are attempts to use more formal expressions such as “considerable merit.” However, inaccurate spelling and word choice are noticeable, for example “holidats,” “benefcicial,” “frsh,” and “over shadow.” Some collocations are also unnatural, including “rest and refreshment” and “this determination.” Repeated use of “benefit,” “decision,” and “positive” limits variety. Aim for accurate, natural combinations such as “a chance to recuperate” and “support students’ personal growth,” and proofread spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is an attempt to use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause beginning “Although some people consider it negative” and a purpose clause in “so she can teach her students with new technology.” The main ideas are generally understandable. However, errors in sentence construction, articles, agreement and punctuation occur throughout. For example, “there multiple benefits” needs a verb, and “one of the prime advantage” has an article-and-plural error. Several sentences run together or lack capitalisation after full stops, while the opening sentence has an incomplete structure around “because.” Work on building complete sentences, checking subject–verb agreement and articles, and using punctuation to separate ideas. These improvements would make the range of structures clearer and more controlled.

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