Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26

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)

It is often argued that educational institutions are more focused on formal learning of students as compare to giving them spare time for physical activities or plays in their primary classrooms. In my opinion, study and sports always go hand in hand and it is essential for the healthy mind and body.

On one hand, primary schools are always remained very much focused on the learning process of children which is undoubtedly very crucial in making their upbringing and future endeavors. Formal learning can help the students to get good grades and achieve goals. For instance, studies serve them in every field of their life, they can learn how to become independent and earn their own money, they can learn how to serve society and become a good human. Therefore, learning is important for growing children.

However, on the other hand, physical activity is also very much essential in making them healthier and active in their daily routine. For instance, when children got bore with usual daily studies, they always love to play outdoor or indoor games to re-freshen up themselves. Games always play an crucial role in reducing anxiety and stress of daily routine. So, sports should incorporate in the lives of children to make them healthy and active.

In conclusion, it is clear that both views are necessary, formal learning is quite important in character building of students and sports are also play role in making their body healthy and active. But both should be perform at a specific time with supervision.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the two-part prompt. You clearly state your position right away in the introduction, noting that both learning and play are essential for children. You examine both sides of the argument: the necessity of formal learning for future success and the importance of physical activity for reducing anxiety and maintaining a healthy body. Your ideas are relevant and supported with general examples, such as how studies help children become independent and how games relieve stress. However, some arguments remain a bit broad and underdeveloped—for instance, the explanation of how studies help learners earn money could be pushed further. Overall, you cover the requirements well enough to secure a solid band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

Your essay is logically structured and easy to follow. You use a clear four-paragraph framework, starting with an introduction, moving to two body paragraphs representing opposing sides, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'However, on the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' are employed to guide the reader through your argumentation. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes a bit mechanical. For example, in the conclusion, phrases like 'both should be perform' reveal minor connective lapses. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, maintaining a coherent overall arrangement throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for this task, successfully attempting less common items such as 'upbringing', 'future endeavors', and 'character building'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text. For instance, you write 'plays in their primary classrooms' (instead of 'play'), 'study and sports always go hand in hand', and 'sports should incorporate' (which should be passive: 'should be incorporated'). Additionally, you use 'crucial' twice in close proximity. These lexical errors do not impede communication, but they restrict your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and conditional-like contexts. However, your writing contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding verb forms, prepositions, and voice. Examples include 'learning of students as compare to' (comparison structure), 'children got bore' (should be 'get bored'), 're-freshen up themselves' (redundant use of 'up'), and 'both should be perform' (passive voice error). While these issues do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points, the persistence of these grammatical inaccuracies prevents you from achieving a higher band.

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

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