Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

These days some people seem to argue that primary and secondary schools should be closed in the summer for two months. On the other hand, others are of the opinion that shorter holidays is more beneficial for children. However, I agree, to a great extent, with the idea that it is good for children for having two months of holidays in the summer. There are certain reasons for my opinion which I wish to highlight in this essay.

In the first place, it would be quite true to say that students can focus on other activities if they get longer holidays. For example, they could learn arts, dance and different sports in the holidays. It will help to improve their creativity and practical skills. Another reason of this side of the view is that longer holidays can lower stress level of children and make them relax. For instance, children is busy whole year in study and home work, longer holidays can make their mind relax and feel comfortable and children will be fresh in the class after longer holidays and could give their best in studies.

Whereas, according to some school of thoughts it is beneficial for children to get shorter holidays. It will keep them consistent in their study. One illustration of this is that children can forget subjects like mathematics, science and others if they get longer holidays, but in shorter school holidays, children cannot forget anything because they learn this type of subjects daily. In addition, there is a prevalent belief among many people that shorter holidays can save money of parents. For example, if children get 2 months of summer holidays, parents have to arrange summer camps, tuition and supervised activities and it will cost them money.

To put it in a nutshell, it is indeed a debatable issue which needs further analysis and discussion. However, in the light of the above-discussed arguments and examples, it would be quite safe to conclude that the advantages of longer holidays outweigh its disadvantages in many aspects and far outweigh the opinion that children should get shorter holidays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both questions: the first body paragraph explains benefits of longer holidays, including time for arts and sports and relief from stress, while the next presents arguments for shorter breaks, such as maintaining learning and reducing parents’ costs. Your conclusion also makes your preference for longer holidays clear. These relevant points meet the task well, but their development is uneven. The benefits of activities and rest are explained, whereas the claim that shorter holidays save money is only briefly illustrated, and the essay does not fully weigh that point against your position. To strengthen the response, explain the consequences of each argument in more detail and make the comparison between the two holiday patterns more explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a concluding position. The progression is generally easy to follow, and signposts such as “In the first place,” “Whereas,” and “To put it in a nutshell” help identify the stages of the argument. However, some linking is mechanical, and the long example about stress combines several ideas in one sentence, making the relationship between them less clear. The opening also introduces the opposing view before the essay’s position, but the transition could be more direct. Use a wider range of natural links and divide extended explanations into clearer steps; ensure pronouns and references point unambiguously to the ideas they represent.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, including “creativity,” “practical skills,” “consistent,” and “supervised activities.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and some topic-specific language helps make the examples relevant. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “some school of thoughts,” “lower stress level,” and “make their mind relax.” Repetition of “longer holidays” and “children” also limits flexibility. Aim for more accurate collocations and vary how you refer to the central topic. For example, describe holidays as reducing stress or giving pupils time to recharge, and use “school of thought” or “some people argue” rather than the current phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures such as “if they get longer holidays” and a contrast introduced by “Whereas.” Meaning is generally clear, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “shorter holidays is more beneficial” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “children is busy” should use a plural verb. The sentence beginning “For instance, children is busy whole year” also needs clearer clause structure and more accurate articles. There are some long sentences where several clauses are joined without clear punctuation. Review agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, and practise building complex sentences that remain controlled and easy to follow.

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