Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-05

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)

It is often argued that primary schools focus to much on formal learning. I partly agree with this openion beacuse academics subjects are very important, but children also need enough time to play and develops other skills.

On the one hand, Formal learning is necessary for children because it provides them with bacic knowledge and skills. subjects such as methematics, english and science help children build a strong foundation for their future education. Regular lessons also teach them discipline and encouragw them to complete tasks on time. Therefore, schools should not reduce academic learning too much.

On the other hand, playing is equal important for young children. It helps them stay physically active and improves their social skills. When children play together, they learn how to communicate, share and work as a team. Play can aslo makes learning more enjoyable and reduced stress caused by long houres of studying. For example, teachers can use educational games to teach basic maths. Research has shown that this trick increase the interest of the student in every subject.

In my openion, primary schools should maintain a balance between formal eduaction and plays. Children need academic knowledge, but they should not spend the entire schoolday by sitting in classrooms. A combination of lessons, of lessons, outdoor activities and educational games would be more effective.

In conclusion, formal leaning is important, nut i believe that play should aslo be given sufficent time in primary schools. this balances approach can support children's overall development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the two-part prompt, presenting a clear position agreeing that formal learning is important while advocating for play. Ideas are generally relevant, but the word count is 248 words, falling just short of the 250-word minimum requirement. While the position is clear, some arguments, such as the benefits of play, tend to generalise and could be more fully developed to reach the next level. The discussion successfully covers both whether schools focus too much on formal learning and the importance of play, fulfilling the basic requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organisation throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, using appropriate paragraphing where each paragraph has a clear central topic, such as formal learning in the second paragraph and play in the third. Cohesive devices are used adequately and generally appropriately, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', though referencing and transitions occasionally feel slightly mechanical, preventing it from achieving higher bands.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'foundation', 'discipline', and 'overall development'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'openion' instead of opinion, 'beacuse' instead of because, 'bacic' instead of basic, 'methematics' instead of mathematics, 'encouragw' instead of encourage, 'equal' instead of equally, 'aslo' instead of also, 'reduced' instead of reduce, 'houres' instead of hours, 'trick increase' instead of trick increases, 'eduaction' instead of education, 'leaning' instead of learning, 'nut' instead of but, 'sufficent' instead of sufficient, and 'balances approach' instead of balanced approach. While these spelling and word-form errors do not severely impede communication, their frequency limits the lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over sentence structures. There are several errors in grammar and punctuation, such as capitalization issues ('english', 'i'), subject-verb agreement or tense inconsistencies ('Play can aslo makes', 'this trick increase'), and minor structural awkwardness like 'by sitting in classrooms' or the repetition in 'lessons, of lessons, outdoor activities'. Fortunately, these errors rarely impede communication, and the sentence structures attempted are varied enough to show a reasonable command of grammar suitable for this level.

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