Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12

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 academic learning and do not give children enough opportunities to play. I largely agree with this notion,as although academic education is essential, play is equally important for children’s social, emotional and intellectual development.

There is no doubt that formal learning should be an essential part of primary education. Children need to develop fundamental skills such as reading, writing and basic mathematics at an early age. These abilities provide the foundation for their future education and everyday life. For example, a child who develops strong literacy and numeracy skills in primary school is likely to find later subjects easier to understand. However, an excessive focus on textbooks, examinations and memorisation can make education stressful and reduce children's natural curiosity about learning.

In my opinion, play should therefore have a significant place in the primary school classroom. Firstly, play helps children develop important social skills. When children participate in group games, they learn how to cooperate, communicate and share. These skills cannot always be developed effectively through traditional classroom activities. Secondly, play can also support intellectual development. Educational games, puzzles, role-playing activities and building exercises can encourage children to think creatively and solve problems while still enjoying themselves. For instance, a teacher could use a mathematical board game to help students practise addition and subtraction, allowing them to learn without feeling that they are simply completing another exercise.

Furthermore, regular opportunities for play can improve children's emotional well-being. Young children may struggle to concentrate for long periods, and forcing them to sit quietly and study for most of the school day can lead to frustration. Short periods of physical or imaginative play can help them relax and return to educational activities with greater concentration. In this sense, play should not be regarded as a waste of valuable teaching time; rather, it can complement formal education.

In conclusion, I agree to a considerable extent that primary schools sometimes focus too heavily on formal learning. While academic subjects are necessary, play is also important because it develops children's social abilities, creativity, problem-solving skills and emotional well-being. Therefore, primary schools should aim for a balanced approach in which children have sufficient opportunities both to learn and to play.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The candidate has fully addressed all parts of the two-part prompt. The essay clearly establishes a position in the introduction—agreeing largely that primary schools focus too much on formal learning—and explores both the necessity of academic foundations and the importance of play. The ideas are well extended and supported with relevant examples, such as 'a child who develops strong literacy and numeracy skills' and 'a mathematical board game to help students practise addition and subtraction.' The response maintains a clear position throughout, and the arguments regarding social, emotional, and intellectual development are logical, pertinent, and fully developed, aligning comfortably with the Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the acknowledgement of formal learning to the specific benefits of play regarding social, intellectual, and emotional development. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly without becoming mechanical (e.g., 'There is no doubt that...', 'In my opinion...', 'Furthermore...', 'In conclusion'). Paragraphing is managed appropriately, and referencing is clear throughout the piece. The overall structure guides the reader effortlessly from introduction to conclusion, satisfying the criteria for a Band 7.5 to 8.0, fitting solidly into Band 8.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'excessive focus', 'memorisation', 'intellectual development', and 'emotional well-being' are used naturally and accurately. Collocations are generally strong, though there are minor slips in punctuation formatting (such as a missing space after a comma in 'notion,as although'). The vocabulary allows for precision in expressing abstract concepts regarding child psychology and pedagogy. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for Band 7, displaying good control of less common lexical items.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writer employs a wide range of complex structures with good overall control. Sentences like 'When children participate in group games, they learn how to cooperate, communicate and share' and 'While academic subjects are necessary, play is also important because it develops children's social abilities...' showcase flexibility. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammar and punctuation are handled with high competence. While there is a minor spacing typo ('notion,as'), it does not impede communication or reflect systemic grammatical weakness. The control of complex grammatical forms corresponds directly to a strong Band 8.

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