Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31

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 7.0)

Many people have different views about how young children should be taught. Some argue that primary schools today focus too much on formal learning, such as reading, writing, and math. I completely agree with this opinion because too much strict study can be harmful to young students. I also believe that playing in the classroom is extremely important for their overall growth.

In many schools today, there is a very strong focus on tests and academic subjects. Teachers and parents often want children to get high marks from a very young age. Because of this, children spend many hours sitting at their desks, listening to the teacher, and copying from the board. While learning basic skills is needed, this very formal way of teaching can cause problems. Young children have a lot of natural energy. If they are forced to study all day without a break, they can become stressed and bored. Eventually, they might even start to dislike going to school.

For these reasons, it is very important to include playtime in the primary school classroom. Firstly, playing helps children develop important social skills. When children play educational games in groups, they learn how to share, wait for their turn, and talk politely to their classmates. Secondly, play makes children more creative. For example, when they build things with toy blocks or draw pictures, they use their imagination and learn how to solve simple problems on their own. Finally, games make learning fun and keep children interested in their classes.

In conclusion, I agree that primary education currently gives too much time to formal studying. While basic subjects are necessary, playing is not a waste of time. Schools need to provide a good balance of formal learning and playing so that children can grow up happy and healthy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas regarding the negative impact of excessive formal learning and the benefits of play are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as social skill development and creativity. The response is balanced and directly answers the 'to what extent' and 'how important' components of the task. The arguments are logical and follow a clear progression, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Finally', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow, demonstrating a high level of coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'natural energy', 'overall growth', and 'formal way of teaching' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is generally appropriate and clear, it is mostly functional. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations and idiomatic expressions. However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your ideas clearly without any significant errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Your control over grammar is strong, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. You use complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If they are forced to study...') and subordinate clauses ('While learning basic skills is needed...'), effectively. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is high, reflecting a solid command of English grammar.

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