Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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's argued that primary schools concentrate too much on conventional learning with little to no focus on co-curricular activities such as sports. I completely agree with this opinion and think that it's very important for children to engage in other activities alongside their classroom studies. In this essay, I'll provide reason to support my opinion.

It's beneficial for children to engage in other activities outside their classroom because it keeps their mind fresh. Constantly sitting in the classroom studying for hours can put a lot of strain on a child's mind and he becomes exhausted and bored pretty quickly. However, if a period is dedicate for playing games such as football, cricket or any other activity of their liking, it gives them a break and provides them a breath of fresh air. Consequently, they return to their classroom with a fresh mind and will be able to fully focus on the lessons.

Co-curricular activities also make school a more fun place and teach students some important skills. As a result, students would come to school regularly and more willingly instead of being forced by the parents. Children naturally are fond of playing games as it gives them a lot of joy and boosts their confidence. Sports also teach children some vital skills such as teamwork and leadership which may help them significantly in their upcoming life. Study shows that the schools who allow students to play have a higher attendance rate than those institutes who follow a strict classroom-only schedule.

To conclude, extra curricular activities such as playing play a significant role in a child's learning and growth. It not only keeps them active and energetic but also makes school more enjoyable and attractive for them.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed both parts of the prompt clearly. Your position is consistent throughout the essay, and you have provided relevant reasons for your agreement, such as the mental benefits of breaks and the development of soft skills like teamwork. The ideas are well-supported with logical explanations. To reach a higher band, you could provide more specific examples or a more nuanced discussion regarding the balance between formal learning and play, rather than focusing solely on the benefits of play. Overall, the response is well-developed and directly answers the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

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 easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Consequently,' and 'As a result' effectively to link your points. While the structure is sound, the range of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally repetitive. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases further and ensure that referencing between sentences is always precise to enhance the flow of your arguments.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'co-curricular,' 'conventional learning,' and 'vital skills' appropriately. However, the vocabulary is somewhat functional and lacks the sophistication or precision required for higher bands. There are some instances of slightly informal or repetitive phrasing, such as 'playing play' in the conclusion. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and a wider variety of academic synonyms to express your ideas with greater nuance and impact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is consistently clear. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'a period is dedicate' (should be 'dedicated') and 'the schools who allow' (should be 'schools that allow'). Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on proofreading for verb forms and ensuring consistent control over complex sentence constructions.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.