Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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)

The ongoing discussion about the extent of formal learning in primary schools and opinions about introducing play in the primary school is a well-debated topic. Many people argue that primary schools focus too much on formal education. In my opinion, this argument is not universally true and out-dated because most primary schools actively try to add extra-curricular activities too. This essay argues against this and provide reasonable evidance and reasoning while highlighting the improtance of physical or creative activities in the primary schools.

The argument would have been true in the past where the primary school only focused on formal education. However, the trend shifted dramatically and currently most institutes are shifting towards informal approaches. The extent of this shift can be understood while examining the primary schools of many third-world countries. In countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, for instance, primary schools in the rural areas have been taking the informal approach. Along with formal education of necessry subjects, they actively hold different activities like color days, movie period, and sometimes sport competitions too. From my personal experience, even in the rural area of Gujranwala, where I studied for primary years schooling, we used to have colourful friday, movie events once a month, and sometimes stage performances too acted by students. Therefore, I believe people making this argument that primary schools still mostly rely on formal learning is not correct and rather out-dated.

I believe that extra activities are compulsary in primary schools because learners at that age are curious about many thing and providing them a playground to play and experiemnt shapes their creativity and curiosity. Furthermore, such activities introduces project-based learning which is highly effective form of learning as students remember things by experience rather than memorizing facts. Moreover, physical activities make children active and sharp whereas mental drills teaches them to be curious, creative, and how to navigate difficult problems. This type of learning environment motivates students to not skip the classes. The early age habit shape their future habits in a positive way. Therefore, I think play is a crucial part of primary schools and to make them a curious learners.

In conclusion, my perspective about the idea of primry schools being too formal is rather old and play activities in primary schools classroom is very important because they offer many learning opportunities that formal education fails to provide.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the two-part prompt: it takes a clear position on whether primary schools focus too much on formal learning (disagreeing) and discusses the importance of play alongside learning. The position is maintained throughout the essay. Ideas are extended with relevant examples from personal knowledge, such as schooling in rural Gujranwala, Pakistan. However, there are minor lexical and grammatical slips in the introduction that slightly obscure precision, such as 'out-dated' and 'evidance'. Overall, the task is well covered, aligning closely with Band 7 descriptors where all parts are addressed with a clear position and supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, such as the counter-argument against excessive formal learning and the defense of play-based activities. Cohesive devices are generally used effectively, employing markers like 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' to signal logical progression. Referencing is mostly clear, though occasional mechanical transitions keep it from higher bands. Progression is evident throughout, placing this securely in Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'extra-curricular activities', 'project-based learning', and 'creativity and curiosity'. However, there are noticeable spelling errors ('out-dated', 'evidance', 'improtance', 'compulsary', 'experiemnt', 'primry') and some word-choice inaccuracies like 'movie period' or 'acted by students'. These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the vocabulary score from reaching a Band 7, fitting comfortably within Band 6 where vocabulary is adequate with some spelling and word-choice errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional and relative clauses ('The argument would have been true in the past where...', 'Furthermore, such activities introduces project-based learning...'). There are, however, several grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('activities introduces', 'mental drills teaches', 'habit shape'), missing articles ('in rural area'), and plural/singular mismatches ('a curious learners'). Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded, representing a typical mix of simple and complex forms consistent with Band 6 criteria.

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