Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 7.5)

It is often argued that primary schools place excessive emphasis on formal academic learning and do not provide children with enough opportunities to play. I largely agree with this view because although structured education is essential for developing fundamental skills, play is equally important for children's cognitive, social and emotional development.

One reason why primary schools may focus too heavily on formal learning is the increasing pressure to achieve strong academic results. Children are often expected to complete worksheets, memorise information and prepare for frequent assessments from a young age. While these activities can help them develop basic literacy and numeracy skills, excessive classroom-based instruction may reduce their curiosity and enjoyment of learning. Young children generally have shorter attention spans, so requiring them to sit still and concentrate for long periods can be counterproductive. A more balanced approach would combine traditional lessons with practical and interactive activities.

Play, in particular, is extremely important in primary education because it allows children to learn naturally while developing a range of transferable skills. For example, group games can teach children how to cooperate, communicate and resolve disagreements, while imaginative activities can stimulate creativity and problem-solving abilities. Physical play also contributes to children's health and helps them develop coordination and confidence. In my view, these benefits are not merely recreational; they are an important part of a child's overall education. For instance, a teacher can use role-play to teach a language lesson or mathematical games to help students practise basic calculations, allowing children to learn academic content in an enjoyable way.

However, this does not mean that formal learning should be reduced substantially. Primary school is the stage at which children acquire essential reading, writing and mathematical skills, which form the foundation for their future education. Therefore, completely replacing structured lessons with play would be inappropriate. Instead, schools should integrate play-based activities into the curriculum and ensure that children have sufficient time for both academic study and recreation.

In conclusion, I agree to a large extent that primary schools can place too much emphasis on formal learning. Although structured education is necessary, play is equally valuable because it develops children's social, physical, creative and cognitive abilities. Consequently, the most effective primary education should strike a healthy balance between learning and play.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. Your position is clear from the introduction and is maintained consistently throughout the essay. You provide a balanced argument, acknowledging the necessity of formal learning while effectively advocating for the integration of play. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly in the third paragraph where you provide specific examples of how play facilitates social and cognitive development. The response is well-structured, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points without introducing new information. You have successfully met the requirements of the task by providing a nuanced perspective supported by relevant reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a logical flow of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central theme, and the progression from the problem (excessive formal learning) to the benefits of play and finally to a balanced conclusion is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'While these activities', 'For example', and 'Consequently', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages of your discussion. The referencing is clear, and the relationship between sentences is well-managed, ensuring that the text reads naturally and coherently throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that allows for precise expression. You use academic collocations and topic-specific terminology effectively, such as 'excessive emphasis', 'cognitive, social and emotional development', 'transferable skills', and 'integrate play-based activities'. The vocabulary is used with a high degree of naturalness, and there are no instances where word choice impedes communication. You successfully avoid repetition by using synonyms and varied phrasing, which contributes to the overall sophistication of your writing. The lexical range is more than sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a wide range of complex structures used with high accuracy. You frequently employ subordinate clauses, conditional structures, and varied sentence lengths to maintain interest and clarity. For instance, the sentence 'While these activities can help them develop basic literacy and numeracy skills, excessive classroom-based instruction may reduce their curiosity...' shows excellent control over complex syntax. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader, and your control over tense and agreement is consistent. The grammatical performance is strong and supports the overall quality of the essay.

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