Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-04

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 most of the nations, primary and secondary schools have provision of closing schools during summer holidays that last two months or more. In this essay, I will discuss the importance of long holidays and also give reasons why short holidays are better.

On the one hand, long summer holidays give a kind of break from heavy burden of study to the students. To explain it, during holidays, lea

rners can enjoy doing different activities, such as going for vocations, picnics and so on, which help them to relax and make memorable moments with their freinds athend family. Moreover, they can prevent themselves from the scorching heat of the sun as temperature reaches at higher level during summer, so living at home is better for their health.

On the other hand, instead of long scholl holidays, short holidays are better for keeping student in touch with studies because longer holidays can make them less interested and distract them from studies. Furthermore, short holidays are good as students will go to school mode days by which they can cover their syllabus and give tests appropriately. Apart from that, although longer summer holodays provide safety from hot summer, shorter holidays are productive because children will remember their study concepts, which can be forgotten during long duration of holidays.

In conclusion, this essay discussed the benefits of longer holidays, which encompass protection from heat and a relaxing break from hectic schedule. In addition, shorter holidays keep students on track and also they can stay engaged with study.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses both questions: it explains that long holidays offer a break from study and protection from summer heat, while shorter breaks may help students stay engaged and keep up with the syllabus. The position favouring shorter holidays is clear in the introduction and the second body paragraph. However, the ideas are only partly developed. For example, the claim that students can “cover their syllabus and give tests appropriately” is not explained with a specific consequence or example, and the benefits of rest and social activities are listed rather than explored. To strengthen the response, explain how each benefit affects students and support at least one point with a relevant example. This would make the discussion more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two sides, and a conclusion. The contrast between the arguments is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help guide the reader. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical because several sentences begin with linking phrases such as “Moreover,” “Furthermore,” and “Apart from that.” Some connections between ideas are also unclear: the point about avoiding heat is repeated in the shorter-holiday paragraph without fully explaining how it supports that argument. Use a wider range of linking methods, including pronouns and cause-and-effect links, and make sure each sentence develops the paragraph’s main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses enough vocabulary to discuss the topic, including phrases such as “heavy burden of study,” “scorching heat,” “productive,” and “stay engaged.” These attempts show some range, but word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or unnatural, as in “provision of closing schools,” “going for vocations,” and “go to school mode days.” Spelling errors such as “freinds,” “scholl,” and “holodays” are also noticeable and reduce the overall control of vocabulary. Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than more elaborate wording: for example, say that schools “close for the summer” and students “go to school more often.” Proofreading would help prevent spelling slips from distracting the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The essay includes both simple sentences and attempts at complex structures, including clauses with “because,” “which,” and “although.” Most ideas remain understandable, but control is uneven. For example, “short holidays are good as students will go to school mode days” has a faulty sentence structure, while “children will remember their study concepts, which can be forgotten” creates an unclear reference. There are also problems with articles and grammatical patterns, as in “during long duration of holidays” and “protection from hectic schedule.” Work on building accurate complex sentences and checking that pronouns clearly refer to the intended noun. Reading each sentence aloud and checking its subject, verb, and clause connections would improve clarity.

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

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