Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14
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 5.5)
The education plays an essential role in every person's life. Many people argued that schools are only focusing on formal education of children. I strongly agree with view because I think it is very important for children to actively take parts in physical activities to stay healthy and learning practically will foster children minds.
Firstly, schools are now only focusing on books educational routine only, however, they should also involve some kind of physical activity into their daily routines. For example, if a school will help to build a strong base for children which will help them in their later life then they must include some outdoor activities. This will help the children to maintain their health and make them physically strong as well. So, it is better to include some outdoor activities along with the formal education.
Secondly, rather than studying from books, children learn more quickly by experiencing things personally. They then become more familiar with many unusual activities which then help them to think more accurately and widely. For instance, when these children become youngsters and by then, they might don't have much of the practical field experience like how they will face some difficult challenges. To make them strong, it is better to teach them by showing and doing things. Furthermore, it will be helpful for children to have some experience before hand about many of the things which they will face in future.
In conclusion, schools should focus on some outdoor activities and practical things from which children learn more easily and have fun along the formal study.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the two-part prompt by agreeing that schools focus too much on formal learning and discussing the importance of play and practical experiences. The position is clear throughout the essay. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly in the body paragraphs where points about physical activity and practical experience are restated without sufficient extension or concrete real-world examples. For instance, the mention that outdoor activities 'help them in their later life' is left vague. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, fitting the criteria for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and conclusion, and standard cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion'. However, paragraphing and referencing are sometimes faulty. The transition between ideas within paragraphs can feel mechanical, and referencing phrases like 'when these children become youngsters and by then, they might don't have much...' create confusion and obscure logical progression. While the organizational structure is visible, the execution of cohesive devices and logical sequencing places this response firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common items such as 'foster children minds' and 'practical field experience'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'books educational routine' and 'actively take parts'. Spelling is generally acceptable, but the vocabulary usage lacks precision and flexibility. These errors do not seriously impede communication, allowing the essay to achieve a Band 6.0 for lexical resource.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some ambition with conditional structures ('if a school will help...') and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is weak, with frequent errors such as 'The education plays an essential role', 'Many people argued' (tense inconsistency), 'they might don't have', and issues with modal verb usage. While these errors do not completely obscure the message, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching Band 6.0, making a Band 5.5 a more accurate reflection of grammatical control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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