Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

It is often argued that  primary level schools are prioritizing more on formal learning. I partly agree with this opinion as many schools are focusing only on academic learning, however they should also allow them to play along with the study.

On the one hand, most of the primary schools are focusing on formal learning. They believe that building a strong educational foundation from an early age is essential for their future. They teach them basic skills such as reading , writing and mathematics, which they need for their future education. For instance, a child with good basic English will not find English communication difficult in the future. Therefore schools should provide enough time for academic learning and help them to strengthen their educational base.

On the other hand, teachers in the primary level schools should focus on the formal learning but also should not overlook their entertainment. Young children should  be nurtured with both fun and learn. These children need extra activities for fun such as dancing, singing and other outdoor activities which help them in mental and social development. Moreover, play help children to build their confidence, cooperative manner and problem solving skill. For instance, schools could organize different competitions such as dance, quiz and drawing in the school on every weekends, which helps them to refresh and focus on learning.

In conclusion, although academic learning is important for children's future, play is equally crucial for their mental, social and emotional development. Therefore, primary schools should maintain a healthy balance between learning and playing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the extent of agreement regarding the focus on formal learning and the importance of play. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. However, the development is somewhat basic. While you provide reasons for both sides, the arguments could be extended further with more specific examples or deeper analysis. For instance, the mention of 'mental and social development' is a good point, but it could be elaborated upon to show exactly how play facilitates these outcomes in a classroom setting. Overall, the response meets the requirements of the task well.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two sides of the argument. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother in places. Referencing is generally clear, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'educational foundation', 'academic learning', and 'social development'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is some repetition of basic words like 'learning' and 'future'. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more precise synonyms and less common collocations. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choices are generally accurate, though they lack the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are recurring grammatical errors. For example, 'play help children' should be 'play helps children' (subject-verb agreement), and 'prioritizing more on' is slightly awkward phrasing. Additionally, there are minor punctuation issues, such as the spacing before commas. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Increasing the variety of complex structures and ensuring subject-verb agreement would improve your score.

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

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