Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-29

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 5.0)

Some people argue that primary schools focus too much on formal learning. I partly agree with this opinion because academic education is important for young children, but they also need enough time to play and develop other skills.

On the one hand, formal learning is necessary in primary schools because children need to develop basic knowledge and skills. Subjects such as mathematics, science, reading and writing provide a strong foundation for their future education. If children do not learn these subjects properly at an early age, they may face difficulties in higher classes. For example, a child who has weak reading skills may find it difficult to understand textbooks and complete assignments later in school.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the required word count of 250 words, reaching only 115 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed. While you have introduced a clear position and begun to discuss the importance of formal learning, the second part of the prompt—the importance of play—is entirely missing. Because the response is incomplete and fails to address all parts of the task, it cannot reach a higher band. To improve, you must ensure you provide a full essay structure, including a dedicated paragraph for the second question and a concluding summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response shows a basic level of organization. You have used a clear introductory paragraph and a body paragraph with a logical progression of ideas. The use of cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'For example' is appropriate and helps the reader follow your argument. However, because the essay is incomplete, there is no overall structure, no second body paragraph to balance the argument, and no conclusion. To improve, ensure you plan your essay to include an introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion to demonstrate a full, logical progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is accurate and appropriate for the topic, such as 'academic education', 'basic knowledge', and 'strong foundation'. However, the range of vocabulary is limited due to the short length of the response. There is little opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more varied topic-specific vocabulary and demonstrate a greater ability to use precise language to express complex ideas, rather than relying on relatively simple sentence structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar is generally accurate, and the sentences are clear and easy to understand. You have successfully used complex sentence structures, such as the conditional sentence 'If children do not learn these subjects properly at an early age, they may face difficulties...'. There are no significant grammatical errors in the text provided. However, the limited length restricts the variety of structures you can display. To improve, continue to practice using a wider range of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice or varied subordinate clauses, while maintaining this level of accuracy.

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

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