Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-31

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 many nations schools gives summer holidays for two months or more. In this essay I will examine the benefits of long term holidays, and also discuss why shorter holidays are preferable.

Regards to long holidays, there are many benefits. The schools often give long vacations in summer because they are very beneficial for students foe many reasons . For example, student can enjoy with their families in vacations, they go for long trips and this is very good for their mental health. Like, in Pakistan schools gave students long holidays after their annual exams, so the feel refreshed and recharge themselves after the demanding routine of school.

The shorter school holidays are also very helpful for children as well as for parents. because, in long term holidays student forget their work, and it also impact on their behavior. For example, when the students spend lot of time in houses and outside they forget the rules of school, and when they come again school they are empty inside . Short vacations are also very beneficial for parents, because in long holidayse they have to take care of children and it become very stressful for parents to keep eye on their children.

In conclusion, both type of holidays are good in their own terms. for unwind and spending time with family or going for trip long holydays are enough. Although long holydays are very helpful for childern, for punctual and undistracting studies short holidays are more preferable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both questions and give a relevant contrast: long breaks allow family trips and recovery, while shorter breaks may help students retain school routines and reduce pressure on parents. The Pakistan example adds some personal context. However, the explanations remain brief, and claims such as students becoming “empty inside” are unclear, so the reader cannot fully understand the effect you mean. Your position is present in the conclusion, but the preference for shorter holidays is not consistently established or explained in depth. The response is also four words below the required minimum. Develop each main reason with a clearer explanation or specific example, and state your overall view more directly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall shape: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. Phrases such as “For example” and “In conclusion” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, some links are mechanical or awkward, and the opening of the second body paragraph begins with a sentence fragment: “because, in long term holidays…”. The ideas within paragraphs also need clearer sequencing; for instance, the point about students forgetting schoolwork shifts quickly to behaviour without explaining the connection. Use complete topic sentences, then develop each reason in a logical order, and make references such as “they” and “it” more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “mental health,” “demanding routine,” “refreshed,” and “stressful.” These choices show some range beyond basic terms. However, several inaccurate or unnatural expressions make parts of the response difficult to interpret, such as “enjoy with their families,” “empty inside,” and “undistracting studies.” There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, including “foe,” “holydays,” and “childern.” Aim for precise collocations and check spelling carefully. For example, describe students as “out of practice” rather than “empty inside,” and use “maintain focus” instead of “undistracting studies.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a reason-and-example structure and a contrast in the conclusion. However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the intended meaning unclear. Examples include “schools gives” (subject–verb agreement), “student can enjoy” (singular/plural agreement), and “the feel refreshed” (missing or incorrect subject). The sentence beginning “because, in long term holidays” is incomplete, while “it become very stressful” has an agreement error. Punctuation and capitalisation are also uneven, particularly after full stops. Practise accurate basic sentence patterns first, then build complex sentences with clear subjects and correctly linked clauses.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.