Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 7.5)

Some people believe that primary schools place too much emphasis on formal learning and do not provide children with enough opportunities to play. I largely agree with this view because, although academic education is important, play is equally essential for children's overall development.

In many primary schools, children spend most of the day sitting in classrooms, completing worksheets, memorising information and preparing for examinations. This approach can be effective in developing basic skills such as reading, writing and mathematics, but excessive academic pressure may make young children feel bored or stressed. At this age, they are naturally curious and energetic, so expecting them to concentrate on formal lessons for long periods can reduce their motivation to learn.

For this reason, I believe that play should have a significant place in the primary school classroom. Educational games can make lessons more enjoyable while helping children understand difficult concepts. For example, mathematics can be taught through counting games, puzzles or activities involving money, while language skills can be developed through storytelling and role-playing. Such activities can also improve creativity, communication and problem-solving abilities.

Furthermore, free play is important because children learn social skills by interacting with their classmates. They learn how to cooperate, share, negotiate and resolve disagreements. From my own experience, children often become more confident and willing to participate in lessons after having opportunities to play and interact with others.

In conclusion, formal learning is necessary in primary education, but schools should not focus on it at the expense of play. A balanced approach, combining academic lessons with educational and recreational activities, is more likely to support children's intellectual, social and emotional development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. Both questions—the extent of your agreement and the importance of play—are well-developed with relevant examples, such as using games to teach mathematics and the social benefits of interaction. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the problem of excessive formal learning, moving to the benefits of play, and concluding with a balanced perspective. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'For this reason', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which help the reader follow your argument without difficulty. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is smooth and natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the academic context. Phrases like 'overall development', 'excessive academic pressure', 'naturally curious', and 'intellectual, social and emotional development' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band. You avoid repetitive language and use collocations correctly throughout the response. The lexical range is sufficient to express your ideas with precision and flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if...') and subordinate clauses ('although academic education is important...'), with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication or cause any confusion for the reader. Your ability to construct complex ideas using accurate grammar is a significant strength of this essay.

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