Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people argue that primary schools focus too much on formal learning.

To what extent do you agree with this opinion?

How important do you think it is for children to play as well as learn in the primary school classroom?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

It is a controversial matter that whether primary schools should give importance to playing along with academic studies.

I completely agree with this notion that playing should be prioritized with studies as only academic qualification is not enough for a person to be a proper human being. Also, when people are young, it is easy to grasp these qualities which will help them to be physically fit.

To begin with, playing various games shape a child's future. It gives confidence and builds the character. If a child is doing some activites rather than studying all the time, it will make him smarter and give the habit of time management. Like, in my college days i knew a girl who was nerd and used to study a lot but still she wouldn't have satisfactory results. As she only studied all the time, she was less confident about her preparation. In my opinion, if she made some free time and did some mind refreshment activites, she could have done better. Playing games refreshes our mind and body and ensures a fit body.

I think playing from childhood can become a habit of children in his older days. Physical fitness is essential in every stage of life.If they can grow the culture since primary schools, it will be helpful for them in later days. As well as their mind will be fresh and they will be able to learn academic studies faster.

Though some people thinks it diverts a child's mind and keeps them away from studies. I disagree with this fact as if a child have to be serious in studies, he anyhow will be. Playing outdoor or indoor games won't distract him.

Playing in the primary schools not only gives children various benefits but also makes a core memory in their heart. So, besides formal education school should encourage their sttudents to play games.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you strongly support play alongside formal learning, and you address both the value of play and the concern that it may distract children. Relevant reasons include confidence, character development, fitness and improved readiness to learn. The example of your college acquaintance helps illustrate your point, although its connection to primary-school children is indirect and the claim that play would have improved her results is speculative. Some ideas, such as how games build time-management skills and why children will remain serious about study, are asserted rather than explained. To strengthen the response, develop these points with a specific classroom example and explain more fully how play complements academic learning at primary-school age.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, paragraphs presenting benefits, a counterargument and a conclusion. The progression from personal development to physical fitness and then the distraction concern is generally understandable. However, links between ideas are sometimes mechanical, particularly the repeated use of “Also,” “As well as” and “Though.” Some references are unclear: “these qualities” in the introduction does not specify which qualities, and “it” in “it will be helpful for them” requires the reader to infer the meaning. The personal anecdote also interrupts the discussion of children’s development. Use clearer topic sentences, connect each example directly to its main point, and vary linking methods so the argument develops more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including terms such as “confidence,” “character,” “physical fitness” and “formal education.” There are also attempts at more expressive phrasing, such as “core memory,” but some choices are unnatural or imprecise for this topic. “Mind refreshment activities” and “grow the culture” do not express your intended meaning clearly, while “proper human being” sounds overly broad and awkward. Spelling errors such as “activites” and “sttudents” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural collocations and precise wording, for example, describing play as helping children “develop social skills” or “take regular mental breaks.” Proofreading would help you use your existing range more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “if she made some free time … she could have done better,” and most of your meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors persist, however. For example, “playing various games shape” needs subject–verb agreement, and “some people thinks” and “if a child have” also have agreement errors. There are problems with articles and number in “a child … in his older days,” as well as sentence boundaries in “life.If.” The opening phrase “It is a controversial matter that whether” is not grammatically well formed. Review agreement, articles and punctuation, and check each sentence for a clear, complete structure.

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