Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27
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 has been observed that primary schools focus too much on formal learning. Although some people believe that it is important for children to play as well as learn in the primary school classroom. I agree with the given statement to a large extent. My inclination is elaborated in the ensuing paragraph and relevant examples.
The foremost argument to justify my stand is that every school has a predesigned syllabus to cover in an academic year. They have divided the syllabus into quarters, and they have a tight schedule to follow. For example, if a school has to teach a full book annually, they simply can't add many extracurricular activities. Besides, it is also true that the degree of competitiveness in academics has made the beginning of formal learning at the primary level. For instance, every grade has an entrance exam that you need to qualify for to secure admission.
On the contrary, some people counter the mentioned support. The foremost argument they make is that the young age is the time period during which children develop both physical and mental strength. Scientists have claimed that most of the development in a human body is experienced from preschoolers to preteens. Learning and playing go hand in hand; focusing only on learning makes childhood tedious and arduous.
To conclude the discussion, it can be said that schools need to strike a balance between playing and learning by developing a schedule that not only concentrates on formal learning but also includes extracurricular activities.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the two-part prompt. The writer clearly states their position regarding formal learning in primary schools and discusses the importance of play. However, the development of ideas in the body paragraphs is somewhat restricted and tends to rely on generalisations. For instance, the argument about the predesigned syllabus is stated but not fully extended with deep elaboration. While the stance is maintained throughout, the supporting evidence could have been more robust and detailed to secure a higher band. As such, the response fits well within the Band 6 descriptor criteria for Task Achievement, as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant, if slightly under-developed, ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-topic or counter-argument. Cohesive devices are employed to link ideas, such as 'For example', 'Besides', and 'To conclude the discussion', though referencing is occasionally mechanical. For example, the sentence 'My inclination is elaborated in the ensuing paragraph and relevant examples' is a somewhat formulaic transitional device. Overall, the logical flow is easy to follow, making Coherence and Cohesion fit comfortably into the Band 6 descriptor range.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common lexical items such as 'predesigned syllabus', 'extracurricular activities', 'tedious and arduous', and 'degree of competitiveness'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. For example, the phrase 'has made the beginning of formal learning at the primary level' is awkward and unclear. There are also occasional phrasing issues like 'counter the mentioned support' instead of 'counter the aforementioned argument'. Despite these minor lexical infelicities, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning, which aligns with Band 6.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating relative clauses and conditional-like constructions effectively. There are several instances of good grammatical control, such as 'Learning and playing go hand in hand; focusing only on learning makes childhood tedious and arduous.' However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward fragmentations, such as starting a sentence with a dependent clause ('Although some people believe that it is important for children to play as well as learn in the primary school classroom. I agree...'), which results in a punctuation error. Additionally, minor slips occur in preposition use and article agreement. These errors rarely impede communication, reflecting the Band 6 descriptor.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.