Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

It is often claimed that primary education places excessive emphasis on structured academic learning. I partly agree with this opinion because basic skills are vital but excessive focus on exams can limit creativity and practical abilities. Moreover, it is crucial for minors to play and learn in their classrooms, as such activities foster creativity, social interaction, and overall cognitive growth.

In my view, formal learning is vital, however, an excess of instruction may lead to a lack of inspiration and vocational skills. This suggests that while reading, writing, and mathematics form the foundation of education, too much focus on exams and theory can prevent children from developing creativity, problem‑solving, and practical abilities needed in real life. For example, in some schools where lessons are dominated by rote memorization, students often struggle with teamwork or applying knowledge outside the classroom. By contrast, schools that combine academics with project‑based activities help learners become both knowledgeable and innovative.

It is essential that young learners engage in both play and study within the classroom, as such activities nurture imagination, social bonds, and overall intellectual growth. This means that play is not merely entertainment but a vital part of education. Through games and interactive tasks, children learn teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving, which are skills often overlooked in purely academic instruction. Balanced learning ensures that students develop holistically, combining knowledge with creativity and adaptability. For instance, in Finland’s primary schools, lessons are frequently combined with play‑based activities. As a result, students not only achieve strong academic outcomes but also demonstrate high levels of innovation and collaboration compared to systems that rely heavily on rote memorization.

In conclusion, while formal learning provides children with essential academic foundations, it is equally important to integrate play into the primary school classroom. A balanced approach not only strengthens literacy and numeracy but also fosters creativity, social interaction, and practical skills, ensuring that young learners grow into well‑rounded individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The candidate addresses all parts of the two-part prompt successfully. They provide a clear position in the introduction stating that while basic academic skills are important, excessive focus on testing limits creativity, and they firmly argue that play is crucial. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are well developed and extended with relevant examples, such as mentioning rote memorization versus project-based activities and referencing Finland’s primary school system. The response covers all required aspects thoroughly, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the discussion of formal learning, the importance of play, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, with phrases like 'Moreover', 'In my view', 'For example', and 'By contrast' guiding the reader smoothly. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, maintaining a clean structure from start to finish. This performance meets the criteria for a Band 7 in Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The candidate demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision. They successfully integrate less common academic vocabulary and collocations such as 'excessive emphasis', 'vocational skills', 'rote memorization', 'project-based activities', and 'holistically'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, though there are occasional standard phrases. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout, allowing the reader to follow the argument effortlessly. This lexicon reflects a solid Band 7 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer utilizes a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional-like clauses and subordinate structures, such as 'This suggests that while reading, writing, and mathematics form the foundation of education, too much focus on exams and theory can prevent children from...' There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good overall control of grammar and punctuation. While a comma splice appears lightly in the introduction ('formal learning is vital, however, an excess...'), the vast majority of the text is grammatically sound, easily placing the response at Band 7.

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