Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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)

Some people believe that educational institute focuses on traditional methods rather than using modern techniques, especially primary schools. I do agree that schools should not focus much on formal learning because every generation is different so schools should use other techniques of learning like playing with learning.

The children at primary school have shorter span of attention like these students easily get distracted so keep them focused, teachers should plan something interested to learn new things. For example, teaching through colorful pictures or presentations or online quizzes. This will enable students to hook up as they like to see vivid images or learn with new ways so they do not easily get bored. Furthermore, children sitting for long periods and listening to lectures may result in boredom and they should have activities to stay active while studying. For example, child playing an online game which teaches mathematic operations or English grammar and gives them time to play with toys or make them learn color or shape names. This will also help them to do physical movements which helps in staying healthy and fit.

However, exposing children to mobile phones or other gadgets for learning may result in inappropriate usage or watching things that are not suitable for their age. Additionally, learning with playing or teaching with different methods may result in students not be discipline or may not follow proper rules. For example, playing games or playing with toys may result in less creativity or may result in poor foundation.

In conclusion, the schools should teach in different ways but keep that it should be suitable for child and benefit them physically or mentally and discipline them. The learning with playing should be encouraged until child uses its own ideas and learn something new.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt, discussing the extent of agreement regarding formal learning and explaining the importance of play alongside learning in primary schools. The position is generally clear throughout, and relevant ideas are introduced, such as maintaining attention through interactive media and physical activities. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited and repetitive, particularly in the counter-argument paragraph where points regarding discipline and creativity are generalized without deep extension. Examples are provided, such as 'teaching through colorful pictures or presentations,' but they remain at a basic level of elaboration. This aligns best with Band 6 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction and conclusion, and the four-paragraph structure is appropriate for an academic essay. Cohesive devices are used to signal logical relationships, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and progression are occasionally faulty, and mechanical transitions appear at times, such as the awkward phrasing 'learning with playing or teaching with different methods'. Paragraphing is utilized, but internal paragraph cohesion could be smoother. The progression of ideas stumbles slightly in the third body paragraph where the transition from benefits to disadvantages feels abrupt. Overall, the organizational framework is adequate for a Band 6 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms such as 'educational institute', 'traditional methods', 'vivid images', and 'mathematical operations'. There are, however, several noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'hook up' instead of 'hooked' or 'engaged', 'child playing' instead of 'children playing', and 'may not be discipline' instead of 'may not be disciplined'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success. Spelling is generally accurate, but lexical inadequacies occasionally cause slight strain for the reader, placing the response solidly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, with attempts at relative clauses and conditional structures, such as 'This will enable students to hook up as they like to see vivid images...' There are, however, frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement ('educational institute focuses', 'child playing'), article usage ('the schools should teach', 'until child uses'), and prepositional phrases ('learning with playing'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while the errors do not impede overall communication, they occur with enough frequency to prevent the essay from reaching a higher band level, fitting the Band 5.5 to 6 range well.

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