Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02
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)
It is often claimed that primary schools place excessive emphsis on formal, academic study. I largely agree with this views, and I believed that play should be an essential part of early education because it supports childrens development in ways that formal lessons cannot.
The argument that schools focus too much on formal learning has merit. In many primary classrooms, most of time spent in desks, completing worksheets,memorizing facts nd preparing for test in subjest like a english,reading and science. While these sklls are very important, and approach leaves litte time in creativity, social interaction, and physical activity . As a result, young children can become bored, stressed, and less motivated to learn. For instance, in some countries children as young as 6 have severals hours of homework each week, which reduces time for play at home as well.
However, play is not just a break for learning. It is a powerfull way for children to learn. When children play, they develop critical life skills such as problem solving, cooperation and communication. through role play games, buildinf activities and group sports they learn how to negotiate handle failure and work in team.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both parts of the prompt, expressing a clear position and discussing the importance of play. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which severely limits the depth of development. While the ideas presented are relevant, they are not fully extended or supported with sufficient detail. The conclusion is missing entirely, which prevents the essay from being a complete, well-rounded response. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more specific examples and ensure you provide a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding summary to meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay demonstrates a basic logical flow, with paragraphs used to separate the two main points of the prompt. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For example, the transition between the first and second body paragraph is abrupt. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of a concluding paragraph disrupts the overall progression of the argument. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'furthermore', 'consequently', 'in contrast') to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure the structure feels complete.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There are several spelling errors, such as 'emphsis', 'sklls', 'litte', 'powerfull', and 'buildinf', which indicate a lack of attention to detail. While you attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'formal learning' and 'social interaction', the overall range is somewhat limited. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated synonyms and ensure accurate spelling. Avoid repetitive phrasing and try to incorporate more precise collocations to demonstrate a better command of the language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'I largely agree with this views' (plurality error), 'most of time spent in desks' (missing article/preposition), and 'in subjest like a english' (article and spelling errors). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing after commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. Focus on subject-verb agreement, article usage, and proofreading for basic mechanical errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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