Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-01

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 countries the schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays, which is i believe is required for children to maintain their family bonds, personal life, and also act upon other activities for mental an physical growth. Also I think that short breaks should also be considered as it have its own benefits. so we'll discuss about both the cases and come to a conclusion.

Breaks for two months or more is considered beneficial through many aspects as students get to learn what happens in their family they get to bond with their culture and traditions. they also get to rest their minds by taking their focus off the schools and enjoy little bit in an year with free mind.

Whereas, having short period of holidays helps students to focus on studies as well as enjoy their holidays. It does not completely take students mind off the schedule but let them build muscle memory of they can enjoy while still putting efforts onto their curriculum.

So i reach t a conclusion that every student should get adequate time for their holidays but it should not be very much to keep then with their pace of learning. Because it depends on us how do we want then to adapt because they are at a young age and we should do everything to keep a balance in everything they do be it studies, games or holidays.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both questions and give a general view that holidays should be balanced, with longer breaks supporting family and personal development and shorter breaks helping students maintain their study routine. However, the discussion is brief and the reasons are only lightly explained: for example, you mention learning about family culture and traditions but do not show how this benefits children, while the claim that shorter holidays build “muscle memory” is unclear. The conclusion also does not fully resolve which arguments you find more persuasive. The response is 12 words below the required minimum, and this limits the space available to develop relevant examples and support your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each holiday pattern, and a conclusion. The contrast marker “Whereas” helps signal the shift to shorter holidays, and the final paragraph returns to the idea of balance. However, progression within paragraphs is limited, and several ideas are joined without clear links, as in “students get to learn what happens in their family they get to bond with their culture.” The opening also promises a discussion and conclusion, but the body does not build a clear line of reasoning towards a definite judgement. Use clearer sentence boundaries and connect each reason to its consequence to make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “family bonds,” “culture and traditions,” “curriculum,” and “adequate time.” These choices show an attempt to discuss more than simply having time off. However, the range is limited, and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, which sometimes makes the intended meaning difficult to follow. For instance, “enjoy little bit in an year with free mind” and “build muscle memory of they can enjoy” do not express the ideas clearly. Aim for more precise collocations and avoid repeating general terms such as “holidays” and “students” when a more specific phrase would help. The suggestions below offer alternatives that fit your intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentence forms, including a complex opening with “which” and a contrast between long and short holidays. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence construction, agreement, and punctuation sometimes make the reader work to understand the message. Examples include “which is i believe is required,” “Breaks for two months or more is considered,” and “it have its own benefits.” Some sentences also run ideas together without appropriate punctuation, particularly the sentence beginning “students get to learn what happens in their family.” Check subject–verb agreement, use complete sentence structures, and review capitalisation and punctuation. More accurate control of these patterns would make your ideas clearer.

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