Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

Many people believe that primary schools put too much emphasis on formal lessons like reading and maths. I agree to some extant, and also think play is important for young children in school.

It is true schools need to teach basic academic skills. Children must learn to read , write, and do some simple calculations because these are essential for their future education and jobs. Without a strong foundation in these subjects, students will never struggle later in life. For this reason, school spent a lot of time on formal learning.

However, I believe that schools focus too much on sitting at desk and doing tests. Primary school children are very young and they can learn best through activities. If they only study books all day, they can become board, stressed, and loss interest in school. Play helps children to relax and enjoy learning.

Play is significant part in the classroom because it helps children develop in many ways. Through games, children learn to share, work in teams, and solve problems. For instance, when children build with blocks, they can learn about many shapes and creativity. When they play role games, they improve their communication skills. Play also helps children to be physically healthy.

In conclusion, while formal learning is necessary, I agree that primary schools focus on it too much. Play should be an important part of every school day because it helps children learn social skills, stay happy, and developed creativity. A good balance between learning and play is best for young children.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the extent to which primary schools focus on formal learning and the importance of play. The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are relevant. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, the argument about 'formal learning' could be strengthened with more specific examples of how excessive testing impacts child development. While the response is balanced, it lacks the depth required for a higher band, as the supporting points are somewhat repetitive and rely on general observations rather than more sophisticated analysis. Nevertheless, all requirements of the task are met.

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. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical at times, and there is a slight lack of variety in the linking phrases used. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the overall structure supports the argument well, making the text coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the student to express their ideas clearly. There are some attempts at using topic-specific vocabulary like 'formal learning', 'academic skills', and 'communication skills'. However, there are a few errors in word choice and form, such as 'board' instead of 'bored', 'loss' instead of 'lose', and 'developed' instead of 'develop'. These errors do not impede communication, but they demonstrate a limited range of vocabulary and occasional inaccuracies that prevent a higher score. More precise synonyms would enhance the quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'school spent' (should be 'schools spend'), 'significant part' (should be 'a significant part'), and 'sitting at desk' (should be 'sitting at desks'). Additionally, there are minor punctuation errors, such as the space before the comma in 'read , write'. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not cause difficulty for the reader. To reach a higher band, the student should focus on subject-verb agreement and article usage.

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

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