Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06

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)

Primary schools focus too much on formal learning

Some people believe that primary education places excessive emphasis on academic subjects and structured learning. I largely agree with this view because children develop best when formal education is balanced with opportunities for play, which is equally important for their intellectual and emotional growth.

On the one hand, formal learning provides children with essential literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills that form the foundation of future education. A well-structured curriculum helps pupils acquire knowledge systematically and prepares them for secondary school. Therefore, subjects such as mathematics, science, and languages should remain a central part of primary education.

However, many schools devote so much time to examinations and classroom instruction that play is often overlooked. Play-based activities encourage creativity, imagination, and critical thinking in ways that textbooks cannot. Moreover, games and group activities teach children valuable social skills, including teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution. For instance, pupils who participate in role-play or outdoor games often become more confident and cooperative learners.

In my opinion, play is not simply a form of entertainment; it is an essential component of effective learning. Young children have shorter attention spans, and interactive activities make lessons more engaging and memorable. A classroom that combines academic instruction with educational games, storytelling, and hands-on projects is more likely to foster both academic achievement and personal development.

In conclusion, I agree that some primary schools place too much emphasis on formal learning. While academic education is undoubtedly important, play should be given equal value because it supports children's cognitive, social, and emotional development, ultimately creating more well-rounded individuals.

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, agreeing that primary schools often overemphasize formal learning, and you maintained this stance throughout the essay. You also provided a balanced discussion by acknowledging the importance of formal subjects while effectively arguing for the necessity of play. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly in the third paragraph where you explain the specific benefits of play, such as 'teamwork' and 'conflict resolution'. The response is well-structured and directly answers both questions posed in the task instructions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the acknowledgement of formal learning and the argument for play is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'However', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'excessive emphasis', 'systematically', 'cognitive, social, and emotional development', and 'well-rounded individuals' show a level of sophistication. The word choice is precise and contributes to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, it could be slightly more varied to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high score. There are no spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your control of grammar is strong, with a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as in the sentence 'A classroom that combines academic instruction with educational games... is more likely to foster both academic achievement and personal development.' The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate. The grammatical structures used are varied and demonstrate a high level of control, which allows for the clear expression of complex ideas without any noticeable slips.

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