Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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)

Activities are a part of learning, and it may make learning more effective. Some people argue that primary schools focus too much on traditional classroom learning. However, I believe that formal learning along with hands-on activities is best combination to teach children at schools. This aspect is essential for the development of other skills in children.

Some people believe that primary school should focus on formal learning. Traditional classroom learning is effective method of teaching. Students can start writing and reading from early classes. Furthermore, when students learn in traditional classrooms, they learn concepts by daily repetition with teacher, so they take more interest in learning. For example, formal learning develops a habit of reading and writing in students. They give good time to their studies. Therefore, school should focus more on formal learning.

On the other hand, in my opinion, children should play as well as learn in the primary schools because playing along with learning develop practical skills in children such as they become more social and their communication skills enhance. when children learn a new topic with the help of activities, they understand it effectively. Moreover, their concepts can be stronger, and they can recall it quickly in the next class. For instance, nowadays, students can more efficiently from

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, ending abruptly at 212 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the conclusion is missing and the final paragraph is incomplete. While you address both parts of the prompt—discussing the importance of formal learning and the role of play—the arguments remain underdeveloped due to the lack of length. To improve, you must ensure you fully expand on your points with specific examples and provide a clear, balanced conclusion that synthesizes your position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is a basic attempt at logical progression. You use some cohesive devices like 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance' to link ideas. However, the flow is interrupted by the incomplete nature of the final paragraph. Additionally, some transitions feel mechanical. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that leads naturally into the next, creating a more seamless transition between your arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to convey your meaning clearly. You use terms like 'traditional classroom learning', 'hands-on activities', and 'practical skills'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly with words like 'learning' and 'students'. There is little evidence of less common or idiomatic vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and academic collocations to demonstrate a broader range of lexical control, which will help elevate the sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'when children learn a new topic with the help of activities, they understand it effectively.' While your meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('at schools' instead of 'in schools') and awkward phrasing ('best combination to teach children'). Punctuation is mostly accurate, but the sentence structure could be more varied. Focus on reducing minor errors and experimenting with more complex sentence forms to improve your accuracy and range.

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

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