Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18
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 argument about that, the elementary schools focuse a lot on academic knowledge is ongoing between various individuals. In my opinion, I agree on this that, the schools main goal is just to provide the basic learning rather than, providing them some other skills and abilities too.
On the one hand, In most of the schools their main purpose is to maintain a best reputation in the race of academics among the other schools. If teaching institute put all of its attention towards the professional learning of their students then, it will be very challenging for them to show numerous capabilities in their life during the journey of being independent. For example, one of my friends from childhood was in such type of school; however, she performed very well in acdemic journey. But, she faced numerous difficulties when she came in the adult professional life.
On the other hand, it is quite crucial for the younger generation in the beginner-level classrooms to be equally involved in sports as the are in studies. If the children are enrolled in the same level in physical activities as they are in learning then, it will be very beneficial for their well-being as it will provide them mental peace. For instance, one of my relatives' son was in a school who facilitate the students with the availability of taking part in sports. Because of this he remained active and healthy through-out, his school period as compared to his friend whose main focus was to just achieve high scores in studies
In conclusion, elementary schools should provide interest in teaching the students some curricular activities rather than, just putting the academic burden. Moreover, the younger students must participate in physical exercises to ease their studies pressure and learn different skills.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student addresses all parts of the two-part prompt, taking a clear position that agrees with the idea that primary schools focus too much on formal learning, while also discussing the importance of play. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive. For instance, the discussion regarding the friend and relative's son relies heavily on personal anecdotes rather than fully extending more universal arguments. The conclusion slightly misinterprets the first part by stating that schools should 'provide interest in teaching' rather than summarising the main stance directly. The response meets the task requirements adequately, but the arguments remain at a relatively basic level of elaboration, aligning with a Band 6.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is arranged coherently overall with clear paragraphing, separating the introduction, the two body paragraphs representing opposing sides, and the conclusion. However, cohesion is frequently mechanical and sometimes faulty. The student uses standard transitional phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand', but referencing and conjunctions are sometimes misused, such as 'The argument about that, the elementary schools focuse...' and awkward relative clauses like 'was in a school who facilitate'. Paragraphing is present and serves to separate ideas, but overall progression within paragraphs is sometimes disrupted by confusing punctuation and run-on structures.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, attempting some less common phrases such as 'elementary schools', 'professional learning', and 'well-being'. However, there are noticeable limitations and inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. Examples include 'focuse a lot', 'teaching institute', 'acdemic journey', and 'studies pressure'. Spelling errors such as 'focuse' and 'acdemic' occur, and awkward phrasings like 'provide interest in teaching the students some curricular activities' demonstrate a lack of precision. The lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main ideas, but frequent minor errors prevent it from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional and relative clauses (e.g., 'If the children are enrolled in the same level in physical activities as they are in learning then, it will be very beneficial'). However, grammar and punctuation control is weak, with frequent errors that cause some difficulty for the reader. There are unnecessary commas ('In my opinion, I agree on this that, the schools main goal...'), missing prepositions, incorrect verb forms ('the are', 'through-out, his school period'), and subject-verb agreement issues. Complex structures are often faulty, placing the response firmly at Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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