Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Some people argue that primary schools place excessive emphasis on formal academic learning and do not devote enough time to other activities. I largely agree with this view because, although children need to develop fundamental academic skills, excessive classroom-based learning can limit their social, physical and creative development. Therefore, non-academic activities should form an important part of primary education.

Formal education is undoubtedly essential for young children. At primary school, students need to acquire basic abilities such as reading, writing and numeracy, which provide the foundation for their future education. However, an excessive focus on academic subjects can make learning unnecessarily stressful and may reduce children’s natural curiosity. Young learners generally benefit from practical and varied experiences rather than spending most of their school day memorising information or completing written exercises. Consequently, a curriculum that concentrates too heavily on formal learning may develop academic abilities while neglecting other important aspects of a child’s development.

Other activities are particularly important because they help children develop skills that cannot be acquired effectively through traditional classroom lessons. Physical activities, for example, improve fitness while teaching children how to cooperate, follow rules and cope with both success and failure. Similarly, activities such as art, music, drama and group projects can encourage creativity, communication and independent thinking. These skills are valuable not only during childhood but also later in life, when people are required to work with others, solve problems and adapt to unfamiliar situations.

In conclusion, while formal academic learning is necessary at primary school, I agree that an excessive emphasis on it can be counterproductive. Schools should therefore provide a balanced curriculum in which academic subjects are complemented by physical, creative and social activities, allowing children to develop intellectually as well as personally.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of both prompt questions regarding whether primary schools focus too much on formal learning and how important it is for children to play as well as learn. The student establishes a clear position in the introduction—agreeing with the view that excessive formal learning limits development—and sustains this stance throughout the essay. Ideas are well developed and extended, particularly in the third paragraph where specific non-academic activities such as physical exercise, art, and group projects are linked to valuable life skills like cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving. Supporting examples and reasoning are relevant and effectively tied back to the main thesis, meeting the requirements for a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear overall progression from the introduction, through the discussion of formal learning and non-academic activities, to a logical conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic. Cohesive devices are managed well without feeling mechanical, utilizing linking words and phrases such as 'Consequently', 'Other activities are particularly important because...', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader smoothly through the argument. Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that logical relationships between sentences and paragraphs are maintained effortlessly.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion. Less common and precise lexical items are employed skilfully, such as 'excessive emphasis', 'fundamental academic skills', 'natural curiosity', 'counterproductive', and 'complemented by'. Word choice and collocations are generally accurate and natural, contributing to precise communication. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but they do not impede the flow or meaning. Spelling and word formation are consistently correct throughout the response, reflecting a strong command of academic English.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring effective use of subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and participial phrases (e.g., 'allowing children to develop intellectually as well as personally'). Grammatical control is strong, punctuation is accurate, and any minor slips are extremely rare and non-systematic. The complexity of the grammar is well-balanced with clarity, making the text effortless to read and thoroughly fulfilling the criteria for a high band score.

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