Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-28

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 5.0)

In recent years, it is increasingly common in many parts of the world of closing the primary and secondary schools for more than two months for summer vacations. This essay will discuss the importance of long summer vacations and the common viewpoints related to short holidays.

One of the main reasons for long vactions during summer vactions is that students have oppertunity to learn new skill. This is because when individuals have long period of three months, they can learn new skill related to their field or can learn new language. For example, individuals who belongs to computer science can learn practical skills such as coding and programming and start making projects which can help them further in their studies. As a result, they got experience of their fields and have a higher chances to build their career in their subject.

On the other hand, it is often argued that short-term holidays are more beneficial for students because getting away from studies can affect their academics. This is because they may involved in unecessary activities such as accessive use of mobile phone or playing outdoorduring vacations. For example, schools may resticate the students who do not focus on their studies. As a result, this may have a very serious impact on their career.

To summarize, long vacations help students to learn beyond their course and learn new skill. While, short-holidays can make sure that students can not forget what they have learned.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both questions by presenting a benefit of long holidays—time to develop skills—and an argument for shorter breaks, namely that students may lose focus on their studies. The examples about coding and language learning are relevant, but the explanation of how these activities benefit students remains general. The shorter-holiday argument is less convincing: the claim that schools may “resticate” students who do not study is unclear and does not explain how shorter holidays prevent this problem. Your conclusion restates the two sides but does not clarify which benefits matter most. The response is also 8 words below the required minimum. Develop each argument with a clearer explanation and a specific, plausible example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each side, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” help signal the change in viewpoint, and “For example” introduces supporting details. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated “This is because” and “As a result” patterns. The link between excessive phone use and the claim that schools may restrict students is not made clear, so the reader has to infer the reasoning. The conclusion begins “To summarize,” but “While” then introduces a fragment rather than a complete, balanced closing sentence. Use clearer links between cause and effect, and make the final paragraph a complete synthesis.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “practical skills,” “coding and programming,” “academics,” and “career.” However, the range is limited and several spelling errors are noticeable, such as “vactions,” “oppertunity,” “unecessary,” and “resticate.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise: “long period of three months,” “learn new skill,” and “common viewpoints related to short holidays.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning harder to follow, particularly in the shorter-holiday argument. Aim for accurate collocations and vary repeated words such as “students,” “learn,” and “holidays.” Proofreading spelling and choosing more precise expressions would make your ideas clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt complex sentences using clauses introduced by “because,” “who,” and “which,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors occur frequently in sentence structure and grammatical forms. For example, “it is increasingly common … of closing” uses an incorrect construction, while “individuals who belongs” has subject–verb disagreement. In “they may involved,” the verb form is incomplete, and “they got experience” shifts tense in a general explanation. The conclusion’s “While, short-holidays can make sure…” is also not a complete, correctly punctuated sentence. These recurring problems sometimes make the reader work to understand your point. Practise accurate clause construction, agreement, and complete sentences before adding more complex structures.

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