Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 argue that primary schools focus too much on formal learning. I strongly agree with this view and it is important for children to play as well as learn because it can keep their body fit and it can reduce stress from their mind.

On the first hand, learning is important for all children because it plays an essential role in their career and study. However, playing sports or games are also important for their health because it can prevent some depressions and other mental issues. For example in the UK, many children are suffering from different kinds of depressions and stresses because of insufficient opportunities to play outdoor sports or indoor games. As a result, many parents faced several doctors for their treatment but the result was not hopeful.

On the other hand, some research study has showed that many juveniles are getting sick and facing various types of mental disorder like anxiety because of upcoming exams. It is important to stay relax and calm before exam. Meanwhile, playing games or sports can offer kids as a form of fun and entertainment. For example in the USA, the parents are providing their children outdoor games and activities as well as study and research showed that in the USA a children is more active compared with the children of the UK. Thus, children became enough energetic and they can focus better in their studies.

In my opinion, I believe that a balanced routine is nessecary for children and both learning and playing is crucial in their life because one will achieve their goal and another wlll keep their body feet and prevent them from various mental issues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you strongly agree that primary schools place too much emphasis on formal learning, and you explain that play supports children’s physical and mental wellbeing. You address both parts of the prompt by discussing the value of learning and the importance of play. The examples about children in the UK and the USA are relevant, but the claims are broad and are not explained with specific evidence or a clear link to classroom practice. The point about learning’s role in children’s future careers is also less developed than your discussion of stress and health. To strengthen the response, explain more directly how classroom play can complement lessons and give a concrete example of a balanced school activity.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a concluding opinion. The contrast between learning and play is generally easy to follow, and linking phrases such as “On the other hand” and “As a result” help signal relationships. However, progression is sometimes mechanical: “On the first hand” is not the natural counterpart to “On the other hand,” and the second body paragraph shifts from exam anxiety to a comparison between countries without a clear transition. Some references, such as “the result,” are vague, so readers must infer what outcome you mean. Organise each paragraph around one main reason, then explain and illustrate it before moving to the next point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “formal learning,” “mental issues,” “anxiety,” “balanced routine” and “focus.” These choices make your main ideas understandable. However, several word-choice and collocation errors reduce precision, such as “prevent some depressions,” “faced several doctors,” and “stay relax and calm.” There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “nessecary,” “wlll” and “feet” where “fit” is intended. Some repeated general terms, particularly “important,” “children” and “games,” limit variety. Aim to learn common word partnerships and use more precise terms for wellbeing and classroom activities; proofread spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “because” and “because of,” and most of your meaning remains clear. Some grammatical errors are present, particularly with subject–verb agreement, plurals and articles. For example, “playing sports or games are” should use a singular verb, while “a children is” has an incorrect article and plural noun. In “some research study has showed,” the noun form and verb form are not controlled, and “both learning and playing is crucial” needs a plural verb. These errors do not usually prevent understanding, but they make the writing less accurate. Practise checking agreement and noun forms, and vary sentence structures while keeping each sentence controlled.

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

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