Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-23
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 assert that primary schools focus heavily on formal education. I strongly support this opinion as formal education enables the children to learn their daily work in a strict environment so that they can develop discipline. I think this practice is beneficial for kids because they can focus on their studies more efficiently instead of wasting time in playing games and other activities. So, I believe solid formal education is fair for the kids.
On the other hand, taking part in the games is also important for school kids along with their education. Games play an important role in maintainig fitness among kids and also it will help them develop leadership skills and teamwork. Additionally, games also boost their stamina, critical thinking, and decision making ability during tough events.
So, I think games play an equal role in kids personality grooming as formal education does. Both games and formal education is just like the two wheels of bicycle; both are essential for grooming of the kids.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 167 words. This significantly impacts the development of ideas. While the essay addresses both parts of the prompt—the extent of agreement regarding formal learning and the importance of play—the arguments are underdeveloped. The points made about discipline and leadership are relevant but lack the necessary supporting examples or depth required for a higher band. Because the response is substantially under-length, the development of the argument is curtailed, preventing a full exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. There is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'Additionally,' and 'So.' However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The transition between the first paragraph (supporting formal learning) and the second (supporting play) is abrupt. While the logical flow is generally easy to follow, the limited length prevents the use of more sophisticated cohesive devices or a more nuanced development of the argument, which would be necessary for a higher score.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision expected at higher levels. Phrases like 'daily work,' 'tough events,' and 'personality grooming' are functional but somewhat simplistic. There are minor inaccuracies, such as 'maintainig' (spelling) and 'grooming of the kids' (collocation). The student relies on basic vocabulary to convey ideas, and there is little evidence of less common lexical items or idiomatic language. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise academic vocabulary and ensuring correct word choice in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors. For instance, 'Both games and formal education is' should be 'are' (subject-verb agreement), and 'the two wheels of bicycle' is missing an article ('a' or 'the'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the sentence variety is limited. The errors present do not significantly impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for basic agreement errors would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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