Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 5.0)

Some people believe that primary schools should focus on academic learning while others argue that extracurricular activities are also important for children because games make them active or happy. I partly agree with this view because formal learning makes student feel bored and lose interest in studying but games make children active and happy.

Most children feel bored when studying all the time because study from book is not interesting and a tiring activity.This reduce their motivation to learn. Children need a break while studying because it makes them happier and active. For instance, In some primary schools in Pakistan, teachers focus more on formal learning than on play activities, which may cause children to lose interest in studies.

Children can understand lessons more easily through extracurricular activites with the studies. It help the students stay active physically. For example, groups game learn students to manage the teamwork and value of the teamwork.

In conclusion, I believe that primary schools should balance formal learning with play actvities because they make children active and healthy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a relevant, partly agreeing position and conclude that schools should balance formal learning with play. The response also offers reasons, including that continuous study can reduce motivation and that group games can develop teamwork. However, the task asks both how far you agree and how important play is; the second question is only implied rather than answered directly. The examples are brief, and the Pakistan example does not explain in detail how play would improve learning. Most importantly, the response is 174 words, below the required 250, so the argument and supporting ideas remain limited and under-developed. Develop each reason with explanation and a specific example, and state clearly how essential classroom play is.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. The ideas generally follow a sensible order, moving from the drawbacks of studying continuously to the benefits of games, and phrases such as “For instance” and “In conclusion” help signal examples and closure. However, progression within the paragraphs is limited, and the links between claims and examples are not always clear. For example, the teamwork point is followed by a short example that does not explain how the activity demonstrates teamwork. The conclusion repeats the main position without drawing together the reasons. Extend each paragraph around one main idea and use clearer references and transitions to show how each example supports it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “formal learning,” “motivation,” “extracurricular activities,” and “teamwork.” However, the range is limited and several words or phrases are repeated, particularly “active and happy,” “children,” and “studies.” Some choices are inaccurate or awkward, such as “groups game,” “study from book,” and “value of the teamwork,” which can make the intended meaning less clear. There are also spelling errors in “activites” and “actvities.” Aim for more precise collocations and vary repeated wording; for example, explain that collaborative games can build cooperation and social skills rather than repeating that they make children active.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You communicate your main position using mostly simple sentences and make an attempt at a complex structure with “because,” as in “I partly agree with this view because…”. However, the range of sentence forms is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include missing articles or plural forms in “makes student feel bored” and “study from book,” subject–verb agreement in “This reduce” and “It help,” and the awkward construction “groups game learn students.” Punctuation is also inconsistent, including the missing space after “activity.” Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles and plural nouns, then build a wider range of sentences while checking each clause for a clear subject and verb.

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