Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09

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)

Some people hold the belief that primary schools mostly give attention to formal learning, but I completely disagree with this, given the statement. Therefore, I do believe that children should play as well as learn in primary school.

Firstly, children should not be restricted from playing because it is a prominent aspect of their overall mental and physical growth. Playing in childhood makes children more vulnerable and expressive. For instance, children who play outdoor games are going to be stronger and more athletic than those who do not play anything. Additionally, they can learn more about their physical capabilities and skills. For example, children who manage their time better in study and playing outside are more focused in academics.

However, giving attention to formal learning was a good approach for the previous generation; this is because the new generation has evolved and wants to learn different approaches. Nonetheless, formal methods are outdated and boring to learn, which is why children are fascinated by different methods like artificial intelligence.

In conclusion, although some people were taught through formal learning in primary schools, this is not necessarily for the young generation to learn from old methods because learning should be diversified with different aspects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, which significantly impacts the development of ideas. While you address both parts of the prompt—your opinion on formal learning and the importance of play—the arguments are underdeveloped. For instance, the claim that formal methods are 'outdated and boring' is asserted without sufficient explanation or evidence. The conclusion is also quite brief. To improve, you need to expand your supporting points with more detailed examples and ensure you reach the required length to fully explore the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay has a basic logical structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use some cohesive devices like 'Firstly', 'Additionally', and 'However' to signal transitions. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. The link between the first body paragraph (the benefits of play) and the second (the critique of formal learning) is not clearly established, making the argument feel fragmented. Paragraphing is present, but the paragraphs themselves are quite short, which limits the flow of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use some basic terms like 'good approach', 'outdated', and 'boring'. There are also some awkward word choices, such as saying children who play are 'more vulnerable', which likely conveys the opposite of your intended meaning (perhaps you meant 'more flexible' or 'open'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to education and child development.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'this is not necessarily for the young generation to learn from old methods' is syntactically awkward. There are also minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not typically impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on refining your sentence construction and ensuring subject-verb agreement.

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

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