Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-16

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's been a topic of discussion lately between people about primary schools having more leaning towards formal learning.

It is definitely true that primary schools do tend to lean towards formal learning in many aspects. One of them could be results. Although they prefer grading system more than the marking system, it still can be a reason to compare the ability of the student with others or to have expectations of performing consistently which either creates negative thoughts or creates fear of failure amongst the students. Which is inevitable in life. For example, if a students is graded good in his/her session, he/she is expected to carry the same identity, same results in the next session aswell, which creates pressure in their academic life. This type of pressure is more than enough to hinder the overall development of the student.

A really good initiative is being taken by some primary level schools, which is integrating physical activites with academics. This allows them to develop both sides of necessity in life. It's been a traditional approach to show more leaning towards studying rather than playing but this type of method is now being questioned by primary schools which is definitely the right choice. For students to find interests in his/his career. They definitley need to exlpore all the categories in their young years. This practice gives them a chance to explore both the fields, try and find their talent in these fields and make a comfortable career out of the choosen one. For example, a student might be choosing between playing football and doing debate. He feels optimistic about both as he has been involved in both the activities since childhood, so he feels more confident about himself as now he have two options to choose out a career from or he could even go for both if he is good at management as well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both parts of the prompt: you agree that primary schools can overemphasise formal learning, and you explain why play and other activities matter. The discussion of pressure from grades is relevant, and the example of a child exploring football and debate helps illustrate how varied activities can reveal interests. However, the position is not fully developed: the opening says schools lean towards formal learning, but the response does not clearly state how far you agree. The second part focuses mainly on career exploration, with less explanation of how play supports learning or classroom development. Develop these points with clearer reasoning and a more direct answer to the importance of play.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable progression from concerns about grading to the benefits of combining activities with academics, and paragraphing separates these main ideas. Examples also help connect claims to explanations. However, the overall development is not always easy to follow. The opening is vague, and the transition from grading pressure to integrating physical activities is abrupt. Some links are mechanical or unclear, such as “One of them could be results” and “This type of pressure,” whose references could be more precise. The final example is lengthy and introduces several possible outcomes at once. Use a clearer topic sentence for each paragraph and organise each point as claim, explanation, and example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “grading system,” “overall development,” “integrating physical activities,” and “explore,” which allows you to discuss both academic pressure and wider interests. There are also attempts at less common phrasing, such as “fear of failure” and “comfortable career.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “more leaning towards formal learning,” “find interests in his/her career,” and “choose out a career from.” Spelling errors such as “activites,” “definitley,” and “choosen” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural academic collocations and check spelling carefully; this would make your meaning more precise and fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a conditional example beginning “if a student is graded” and clauses introduced by “Although” and “which.” These attempts show some range, and the main ideas are generally understandable. However, some sentence structures are incomplete or difficult to control. “Which is inevitable in life” is a fragment, while “For students to find interests in his/his career” is also not a complete sentence. There are errors in agreement and forms, as in “a students,” “he now have,” and “aswell” (which should be written as two words). Break long sentences into clearer units and check subject–verb agreement, pronouns, and sentence boundaries.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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