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)

Formal learning gain popularity for last decades, there is a debate between two groups of people some people consider that primary schools should pay more attention to formal learning, while other think that schools should focus of playing along with learning process. according to my perspective learning along with playing is a key of success , i am compelety agree with this statement, In forthcoming paragraph i shall explain my opinion.

Learning in school is so essential , the student to learn new things according to their age , it facilitate to improve the academic grades of students , through good academic grades they will become able to seek well paid and secure job in future ,For example cramming is so prevalent in education system .

On the other hand If our educational institute focus study as well as extra curriculum activities of study that leads to many positive aspects of learning process extra curriculum activities unlock the process of critical thinking , problem solving strategies ,and multitasking abilities .For instance If a student Strick a balance between study time and playing activities their focus and concentration improve , and become physical fit ,that we all comprehend that playing make us healthy both physically and mentally .

To sum up I firmly believe that primary school should start initiatives that regulate the playing and learning process such as conduct matches in district level so that children become able to know competition, team work , which proves benefical for sustainable growth and development of country .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the extent of agreement regarding formal learning and the importance of play. However, the development is inconsistent. While you state your position clearly, the arguments regarding 'cramming' are not fully linked to the prompt's focus on primary school. The ideas are somewhat generic, and the explanation of how play benefits children could be more deeply explored with specific, concrete examples rather than general statements. To reach a higher band, ensure that every point directly supports your central argument and provides a more detailed justification for why play is essential in a primary setting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For example, 'In forthcoming paragraph' is an unnatural way to transition, and the use of commas instead of full stops leads to run-on sentences, such as '...learning process, according to my perspective...'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the logical flow between sentences is occasionally interrupted by grammatical errors. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in contrast') would significantly improve the flow of your ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for higher bands. You rely on basic terms like 'good', 'well', and 'things'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'formal learning gain popularity' (should be 'has gained') and 'Strick a balance' (should be 'strike'). While your meaning is generally clear, the lack of sophisticated vocabulary and the presence of word-choice errors limit your score. Try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to education and child development to demonstrate a wider range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There is a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but the accuracy is inconsistent. Frequent errors in subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'other think', 'educational institute focus'), article usage, and punctuation (specifically comma splices) occur throughout the text. These errors are noticeable and occasionally force the reader to re-read to understand the intended meaning. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that each sentence has a clear subject and verb, and practice using full stops to separate independent clauses rather than relying on commas.

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

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