Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-10

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 6.0)

Education plays a paramount role in every individual life. There is growing belief that primary schools pays too much attention on formal learning. I frimly agree with this point, as children need opportinities to develop through play as well as classroom activities. However, acedemic learning should reamin an crucial part of primary schools with balanced sports like activities.

To commence with, formal learning will develop the foundation in acedemics with skills like, reading, writing, mathwmatical problem sloving and communication. Furthermore, structured lessons can teach children discipline, concentraction and time management this may provide the foundation to prepare them for future learning. For instance, regular study session can gradually improve students abiliy to solve math problems in less time.

On the other hand, play is equally important for children overall development, unlike conventional learning social skills help children to learn teamwork, sharing and moral values owing to allevate acedemic stress and makes school more enjoyable. epitome, team sports teach cooperation and responsibilty whikle keeping them physically active.

In conclusion, although formal education is necessary for building a strong eduactional foundation extra curricular activities are eually important for overall development and wellbeing of the children. Therefore, a balanced approach should be there.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you firmly agree that children need opportunities to play, while also recognising that academic learning is necessary. You address both questions by discussing the value of formal lessons and play, and examples such as team sports and maths practice are relevant. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the benefits of formal learning receive several specific points, while the discussion of play is brief and its effects are mostly listed rather than explained. The conclusion repeats the call for balance but does not clarify how much classroom time should be devoted to play. The response is also 50 words below the required minimum, which limits the space available to extend and support your ideas. Develop each main point with explanation or a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for formal learning and play, and a conclusion. The contrast signalled by “On the other hand” helps readers follow the shift in focus, and the overall progression is easy to identify. Some connections between ideas are less clear, however. In the play paragraph, “unlike conventional learning social skills help children…” does not clearly show how the contrast works, and “epitome” does not introduce the example naturally. The conclusion is also very brief, so it does little to synthesise the discussion. Use clearer links between each claim and its explanation, and make sure examples are introduced with accurate, natural transitions. This would make cohesion less mechanical and improve the flow between sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “formal learning,” “foundation,” “discipline,” “teamwork,” and “responsibility.” These choices show awareness of the subject and generally allow the reader to understand your main points. However, spelling errors and inaccurate word forms are noticeable, including “frimly,” “opportinities,” “acedemic,” and “eduactional.” Some combinations are also unnatural or unclear, such as “sports like activities” and “allevate acedemic stress.” These issues reduce precision, particularly when you try to use less common vocabulary. Check spelling carefully and learn useful word partnerships as complete phrases—for example, “extracurricular activities” and “reduce academic stress”—so your vocabulary sounds more natural and communicates your ideas accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “although formal education is necessary…” and “as children need opportunities…”. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “primary schools pays” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “every individual life” needs a possessive form. In “discipline, concentration and time management this may provide…”, the boundary between the ideas is unclear and needs punctuation or a linking word. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “an crucial part.” Practise checking agreement, articles, possessives, and punctuation when joining clauses. More accurate control of these patterns would allow your range of sentence forms to support your argument more effectively.

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