Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Some people beleive that schools should only conduct formal learning. I disagree to this statement because schools should not only focus on learning. It should also include play because it helps students with physical growth and also builds confidence and teamwork.

Firstly, learning from the books at school is also important for the brain. As formal learning is important for the mental growth, in contarary, play and games are important as well for the physical growth and unbringing. Physical activities contribute in growth of the bones and muscles. For example, students that participate in extra games are less absent from school, whereas students who do not play at school are often sick.

Additionally, participating in school sports builds team work by helping other team members. It also encourges students about leadership skills. Students learn to face difficult challenges during games which increases their confidence. For instance, Ronaldo says that he had always participated in school sports. He is now great known leader of the Australian football team.

Moreover, formal education only enhances bookish knowledge. Games and sports are as much important for students to increase their skills by making them responsible team member and a leader. Sports can become career of some students, as some students will turn to be great players in future like great football player the Ronaldo.

In conclusion, schools should not only focus on formal education as well as informal activites. As sports not only increases their physical growth and confidence. It also helps them learn skills. In my opinion, sports are as much important as formal education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you disagree that primary schools should focus only on formal learning, and you explain that play supports physical development, confidence and teamwork. This addresses both the balance between formal learning and play and the importance of classroom activities. The examples about bones and muscles, teamwork and sports as a possible career are relevant. However, some points are asserted rather than fully explained: the claim that pupils who play are less often absent needs clearer reasoning or support, and the Ronaldo example is confusing because it does not clearly demonstrate the point about school sports or leadership. Develop fewer examples in more detail and explain how play can complement classroom learning to make the argument more convincing and complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate supporting paragraphs and a conclusion. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “Additionally” and “Moreover” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression between the body paragraphs is not always clear: the second and third paragraphs both repeat that sports build teamwork and leadership, while the relationship between formal learning and play could be organised more explicitly. Some linking is mechanical, and the conclusion’s opening, “not only focus on formal education as well as informal activities,” is difficult to follow. Use each paragraph for a distinct main point, connect examples directly to that point, and use clear referencing so readers can follow how each idea develops.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “formal learning,” “physical growth,” “teamwork,” “leadership skills” and “confidence.” These terms make your main ideas understandable, but the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation and spelling problems reduce precision. For example, “in contarary” is not the appropriate expression here, “unbringing” does not convey the intended meaning, and “great known leader” is unnatural. “Bookish knowledge” is understandable but informal and imprecise in this context. Aim to use accurate topic-specific phrases and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise language for the benefits of play and the relationship between learning and development would help express your ideas with greater clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a contrast with “whereas” and a reason clause beginning “because.” Most of the argument remains understandable, but errors in sentence construction and agreement are noticeable. For example, “It should also include play” has an unclear reference, and “As sports not only increases their physical growth and confidence” is an incomplete sentence with a subject–verb agreement problem. The construction “schools should not only focus on formal education as well as informal activities” also does not form a clear parallel structure. Practise complete sentences, consistent subject–verb agreement, and parallel forms such as “not only … but also …”. These changes would make your meaning easier to follow.

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