Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

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 4.0)

In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays. In my opinion, it is a very long period for summer holidays because it causes loss of study time at school and also lessen the interest of students in studies.

The holidays should be of 1 month or maximum of 1 and a half month. In some primary and secodary schools it is of 2 months or more which then results in the study loss and causes the concentration of children to away. They then face problems to continue their studies after this long holidays. It is difficult for them to regain their focus on studies.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You give a clear view that two months is too long, and you explain one relevant disadvantage: students may lose focus and find it difficult to resume studying. However, the response does not answer both questions adequately. It gives almost no account of the value of long holidays and does not explain the arguments in favour of shorter holidays beyond the general claim that learning is disrupted. The ideas are not developed with reasons or examples. The response is also 96 words, below the required 250 words; 17 words copied from the task prompt were not counted. To improve, address each question directly, explain the benefits and drawbacks, and support each main point with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic progression: it states your view, then gives a reason why long holidays may be harmful. The opening and following paragraph are relevant to the same central point, and phrases such as “They then” help connect the consequence to students. However, the ideas are compressed into two short paragraphs, with no clear development of separate arguments for the two questions. Linking is limited, and “which then results” makes the relationship between the length of holidays and the effects somewhat awkward. Organise the response into an introduction, paragraphs addressing each question, and a conclusion. Use clear transitions to show when you are moving from benefits to arguments for shorter breaks.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “study time,” “concentration,” “focus,” and “regain,” so the main message is understandable. However, the range is narrow and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise, particularly repeated references to “studies” and “study loss.” Some collocations are unnatural, such as “causes the concentration of children to away,” and “study loss” does not clearly express the intended idea. There is also a spelling error in “secodary.” Build a wider set of accurate phrases for learning and holidays, such as “retain knowledge,” “academic progress,” and “extended break.” Check spelling and choose natural word combinations so your ideas are expressed more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You communicate your main position using mostly simple sentence patterns, and the sentence “They then face problems to continue their studies after this long holidays” shows an attempt to explain a consequence. However, the range is limited, and errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur. For example, “it … lessen” needs a verb agreeing with “it,” while “this long holidays” has a mismatch between the singular determiner and plural noun. The construction “causes the concentration of children to away” is also grammatically incomplete. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and noun phrases, then add controlled complex sentences using clauses such as “because” and “although.” Proofread each sentence for complete grammatical patterns.

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