Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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)

This issue is often debated by many people, that the early schooling should not focus too much on formal learning. I agree with this notion of these people. I believe it is important for primary schools students to have playtime as well as learn in school.

Academic learning is a vital aspect of gaining education. It guides students with a well structured path for their future goals. However, this system of education should not come in the way of children's free time. Allowing primary students to play games or explore the grounds, during selected school hours, can benefit their physical activity and help them breathe fresh air which can improve their mental well-being. Therefore, both these methods should maintain a balance.

Playtime for children in early school years is a concern for many people. They believe it should be considered as important as, if not more important than, formal learning. This method of engaging youngsters in playtime can improve their physical activity, bring them closer to nature, resulting in increased mental well-being and cognitive abilities. For instance, many public schools in the USA have made it compulsory for students to explore their surroundings by visiting grounds in the school vicinity, under their teachers supervision on weekly basis. This process helps these children to explore nature and improve their academic performance.

In conclusion, Like many people my stance on this topic supports the idea that children receiving early childhood education should be allotted time for games, and exploring their environment by taking them outside in fresh air.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the extent of agreement regarding formal learning and the importance of play. The position is clear throughout. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention physical and mental benefits, the arguments could be extended with more depth or specific analysis of how play facilitates learning itself, rather than just health benefits. The example regarding US schools is relevant but brief. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is fully explored with more detailed reasoning or a more comprehensive illustration of the connection between play and academic success.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Therefore,' and 'For instance' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is a bit repetitive, as both discuss the benefits of play. Improving the variety of cohesive links and ensuring each paragraph has a distinct focus would enhance the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. You use some topic-specific terms like 'formal learning,' 'cognitive abilities,' and 'well-being.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. Some collocations could be more precise; for instance, 'gaining education' is acceptable but 'pursuing an education' or 'academic development' would sound more natural. There are no significant spelling errors, but the range of vocabulary does not demonstrate the flexibility or sophistication required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'the early schooling' (should be 'early schooling') and 'under their teachers supervision' (missing apostrophe: 'teacher's'). The sentence structure is generally sound, but there is a lack of more sophisticated complex structures that would demonstrate a wider grammatical range. Most sentences are error-free, but the overall control is not yet consistent enough to reach the 8.0 level. Focusing on punctuation and article usage will help improve accuracy.

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

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