Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-18

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)

Many people argue that primary schools only focus on formal learning. They only want students to study. I believe that study is important obviously but playing also plays a vital role in the lives of students. I partially agree and partially disagree with that idea. There are many good impacts of this idea as well as bad.

Firstly, take a look on positive impacts of the idea on learners life. When they play with study they will become more energetic and focused because if they only do study there mind get stressed and exhausted but if they play games in addition to study they will feel relaxed and refreshed. So they will be able to work more accurately. Physical activities are also essential for the health of students. If they play with study they will be able to find talent which is hidden in them and they can become professional with their talent. Moreover, it is very disgusting for them to only study and study without any free time in which they can feel relief and burden free.

Now, about the negative effects of this idea. On one hand, there are many good and meaningful effects of this idea has, but on the other hand, negative and bad effects of this idea also occur. If the learners play games then they may be more interested in games rather than in studies. So they waste time in the games and shall not give proper time to their studies. As a result their grades will fall down which is a very bad thing for their success.

In conclusion, the idea has both negative and positive impacts, students should manage time according to their studies. In stidy time they should focus only on studies and in free time they shoul play games for the refreshment and relaxation of mind.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear, if qualified, position: you partly agree that formal study matters while arguing that play is also important. Relevant benefits include improved concentration, physical health and opportunities to discover talents; you also recognise that excessive play could distract children from study. However, the response does not fully answer the question about how important play is in the primary classroom: it discusses play broadly, without explaining how classroom activities should balance learning and play or giving a specific example. Several points are asserted rather than developed, and the opening claim that schools “only focus” on formal learning is stronger than the task’s wording. Explain your position more precisely and support each main point with a clear example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the reader can follow the broad contrast between benefits and drawbacks. Paragraphing therefore provides some organisation. However, progression is limited by repetitive or mechanical linking, such as “Firstly,” “Moreover,” and “On one hand… on the other hand,” especially when the latter introduces a point that repeats the earlier contrast. The second body paragraph also begins with a confusing sentence about “good and meaningful effects” before turning to disadvantages. Some references, including “this idea,” are unclear because the essay does not consistently define whether the idea means formal learning, play, or combining them. Organise around the two task questions and use clearer links between claims and explanations.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including terms such as “physical activities,” “focused,” “talent,” and “grades.” However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, particularly “study,” “play,” “idea,” and “good and bad impacts.” Some choices are unnatural or imprecise, such as “take a look on positive impacts,” “play with study,” and “fall down” for grades. “Disgusting” does not express the intended meaning of finding constant study unpleasant. These choices sometimes make the reader pause, although the overall message remains understandable. Build a more precise range for discussing education and classroom activities, and check collocations and word forms when revising.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including conditional structures such as “If they play games then they may be more interested…” and a reason-and-result sequence beginning “As a result.” However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “there mind get stressed” has problems with possessive form, agreement and verb form; “the negative and bad effects… also occur” is awkwardly constructed; and “students should manage time” needs a determiner. There are also errors in the conclusion, including “In stidy time” and “they shoul play,” as well as inconsistent punctuation. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, possessives, articles and sentence boundaries, then proofread carefully.

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