Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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 argue that primary schools place too much emphasis on formal learning and do not give children enough opportunities to play. I partly agree with this view because, although academic education is essential for children's development, physical activities and play are equally important for their physical, social and emotional well-being.

To begin with, formal education provides children with essential knowledge and helps them develop discipline and responsibility. At primary-school age, children need to learn basic subjects such as mathematics, languages and science, as these form the foundation for their future education. In addition, classroom learning can teach them important habits, such as following rules, completing tasks on time and respecting others. However, I do not believe that children should spend most of their school day sitting in classrooms, as this could make learning stressful and less enjoyable.

For this reason, I believe that play should be an integral part of primary education. Sports and other physical activities can help children develop teamwork, communication skills and self-confidence. For example, when children participate in team sports such as football or cricket, they learn how to cooperate with others, follow rules and deal with both success and failure. Physical activity can also improve their concentration and reduce stress, which may ultimately help them perform better academically.

Furthermore, playing games can teach children valuable life skills that cannot always be acquired through textbooks. For instance, when children compete with one another, they learn how to control their emotions, cope with disappointment and continue trying after failure. Importantly, the purpose of children's participation in sports should not be limited to winning. The experience of cooperating with others, developing discipline and overcoming challenges can be much more valuable in the long run.

In conclusion, I partly agree that some primary schools may place excessive emphasis on formal learning. While academic education is necessary for children's intellectual development, schools should also provide sufficient opportunities for play and physical activities. A balanced approach would help children become not only academically capable but also physically healthy, confident and socially responsible individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses both parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with distinct paragraphs dedicated to the benefits of formal learning and the necessity of play. You provide relevant examples, such as team sports like football or cricket, to support your arguments. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your points and reinforces your balanced perspective. The response is well-structured and directly answers the 'to what extent' and 'how important' aspects of the question, demonstrating a clear and logical progression of ideas.

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 necessity of formal education and the importance of play is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with', 'In addition', 'For this reason', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The referencing is clear, and the flow of the essay is natural, making it easy for the reader to follow your line of reasoning from the introduction to the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'integral part', 'intellectual development', and 'academically capable' show a good command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the context, it is generally standard. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'While academic education is necessary...', 'when children participate in...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. There are no significant grammatical slips, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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