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)

From the past time, the schools, collages and universities have a same goal which is to focus on formal learning, on the other hand, some people argue that primary schools focus too much on formal learning apart from any other physical activities. I completely agree with this, that our educational departments are only focusing on formal learning. They should also focus on extra curricular activities.

When it is the time for a student to take admission to his first study place, from the start that primary school heavily focus on formal learning because they only want to step ahead from other schools in scores, which makes the student's mind only think from books. This is a good thing for scoring high in examination but in real life, they lack of confidence. Primary schools have only one goal, basically, they care about their reputation and scores that's why, they only focus on formal learning instead they organize special physical or any other entertaining activities. For example, a student will score good in exams by focusing on formal education but when its time to take part in any other activity like speech performances or any other sports competition, they lack confidence will not perform well. So this will be result for any student if their primary school not introduce these kinds of events or extra curricular activities.

Apart from, learning in the classroom, enjoyment and playing are also very important for every student from the start because by taking part in these kinds of activities, they can maintain their physical as well as mental health. School's staff should introduce these kinds of activities which include sports competitions, speech programs and one of the most important physical activity called PT should also be introduced For example, a student who took part in these endeavors will definitely a shining star in every field in future. So different kinds of tasks are important for every student from the start .

To conclude, I agree with both opinions that formal learning and play both are important in every student's life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, expressing clear agreement that primary schools focus too much on formal learning, and discussing the importance of play alongside learning. The writer takes a clear position throughout the essay. However, some ideas are repetitive and under-developed, relying on generalised assertions rather than well-supported examples. For instance, the discussion around school reputation and exam scores is stated multiple times without new extension. This places the response comfortably at Band 6, as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant ideas, though some aspects are under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into logical paragraphs, starting with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs addressing each part of the prompt, and a brief conclusion. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. The writer overuses phrases like 'these kinds of activities' and uses transitional phrases awkwardly, such as 'Apart from, learning in the classroom' and 'So this will be result for any student'. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, such as pronoun ambiguity in referring to students and schools. Progression is visible overall, but logical flow is disrupted by clunky transitions, aligning the response with Band 6 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating topic-related terms such as 'extra curricular activities', 'formal education', and 'physical and mental health'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. Examples include 'take admission to his first study place' instead of 'enroll in school', and 'a student who took part in these endeavors will definitely a shining star' which contains grammatical and collocational awkwardness. Spelling is generally acceptable, but lexical control is uneven, making Band 5.5 a fair representation of the student's current vocabulary performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent errors in punctuation, article usage, and subject-verb agreement, such as 'the schools, collages and universities have a same goal' and 'if their primary school not introduce'. Run-on sentences and awkward phrasing frequently appear, such as 'Primary schools have only one goal, basically, they care about their reputation and scores that's why, they only focus on formal learning instead they organize special physical'. These errors occasionally cause slight difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.