Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-23

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 6.5)

There is a common debate that formal learning methods are used by the primary schools instead of informal methods where students are allowed to study while playing. I completely agree with this view that a lot of primary schools concentrate on classical methods of teaching. In my opinion, it is very crucial to apply student- centered approach where students should be studying along with other fun activities because it allows them to express their ideas and improve their rational thinking.

One of the best way to make the primary school students learn new things and concepts is by involving them in playful games, singing rhymes, composing new poems, solving puzzles and cosplaying different characters. Not only this makes the learning process interesting, it develops other essential skills such as interpersonal and communication skills. In addition, this method makes their mind curious and go beyond books. Many studies support this fact that a child will take more interest in singing songs or solving puzzles in the groups instead of just sitting at a chair reading after the teacher or skimming books.

On the other hand, formal learning creates deep pressure in a child's mind to perform under stress which later on affects it's logical thinking, problem solving skills and diminishes the curiousity. Carrying loads of books in the bag might give good grades but it does not gaurantee healthy and curious minds. In my country, a lot of primary schools follow formal learning methods. It's a common observation that their students don't like going getting up and going to school because it creates unecessary pressure and stress in their mind which is totally opposite to the students which enjoy studies.

In the conclusion, I would say that the learning process should be made very easy for everyone especially children less than 10 years old. Specific lesson plans should be discussed to brainstorm the minds of students. Extra curricular activities should be planned in advance along with the study timetables to address this issue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your position is clear from the introduction: you agree that primary schools rely too heavily on formal teaching, and you explain why play-based learning matters. The examples of games, rhymes, puzzles and role-play support your view, while the paragraph on pressure addresses a drawback of formal learning. You also offer a practical recommendation in the conclusion. This covers both questions, with relevant reasons and examples. To strengthen the response further, develop the comparison more precisely: explain how play can complement formal instruction rather than simply replace it, and give a specific example of a classroom activity and what children learn from it. The claim that formal study diminishes curiosity is relevant but would benefit from clearer support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two main paragraphs and a conclusion, and the ideas generally progress from the benefits of play to the disadvantages of formal learning. Linking phrases such as “In addition” and “On the other hand” help signal relationships between points. Some connections, however, are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Not only this makes the learning process interesting” does not connect smoothly to the previous list, and the comparison at the end of the third paragraph is difficult to follow. The conclusion introduces lesson plans and timetables without fully linking them to the earlier argument. To improve, use clearer references and make each paragraph’s main point explicit before adding supporting details.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “interpersonal and communication skills,” “logical thinking,” “problem solving” and “extra curricular activities.” These choices help explain the educational benefits and drawbacks. There are also attempts at more specific or less common expressions, but some are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “deep pressure,” “makes their mind curious,” and “going getting up and going to school.” Spelling errors including “curiousity,” “gaurantee” and “unecessary” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding your main points, but more precise collocations and careful proofreading would make the argument sound more natural. Prefer established phrases such as “puts pressure on children” and “stimulates curiosity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “where students are allowed to study while playing” and a contrast introduced by “On the other hand.” The overall meaning is usually clear, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “One of the best way” needs plural agreement (“ways”), and “it affects it's logical thinking” uses the wrong possessive form and an unclear pronoun reference. The sentence beginning “It's a common observation” also has a faulty construction: “don't like going getting up and going to school.” There are some awkwardly joined clauses, particularly “Not only this makes…” Practise accurate agreement, possessives and parallel verb forms, and revise complex sentences to ensure each clause is complete and clearly connected.

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