Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-29

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)

Today's institutions are focus only academic related education rather than practical learning because they thing having a good grades are enough for their career development. While I am disagree with that idea that only formal educations should be priorities, while both are important for children.

Admittedly, theoretical education are crucial for making a strong foundation base on courses such as, mathematic, english and history. Alongside practical experience are more vital due to it helps student to improve their analytical skill and will encourage them to engage with research based activities. For instance, subject like science required more experiments on certain topics to generate knowledge. only textbooks are not enough to cover it. Thus, schools authorities should create an environment where student can got the opportunities to learn outside the books.

However, I consider that the sports play a significant role in school going students to develop their physical growth. This activities will make them more efficient to solve a problem. They will gain a knowledge about team work and leadership. Additionally, only studies and pressure of homework can be responsible for burden to them. Only these outdoor recreations would be effective for their mental health. It will inspire them to take participates in various competitions and winning a price.

To sum up that has been started so far that the formal education is crucial but on the other hands play full habits and practical experience will prepare them to innovate something which will bring advantages for society and overall well-being

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both parts of the question by arguing that formal education matters but should be balanced with practical learning and play. Relevant support includes science experiments, teamwork, leadership, and the effect of homework pressure on children’s mental health. However, your position is not fully clear in the opening: “While I am disagree with that idea” is followed by an unclear contrast, and the response does not directly explain how much you agree that primary schools focus too heavily on formal learning. The discussion of play is more developed than the evaluation of formal learning. State your degree of agreement explicitly, then explain and support each part of the question with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs on practical learning and play, and a concluding summary. Linking expressions such as “Admittedly,” “However,” and “To sum up” help signal the stages of your argument. The overall progression is understandable, but some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “Alongside practical experience are more vital” does not clearly connect the contrast between theory and practice, and “To sum up that has been started so far” makes the conclusion difficult to follow. Some references, such as “This activities” and “It,” are also unclear. Use more precise transitions and ensure each paragraph develops one clearly stated main idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt vocabulary relevant to education and child development, including “analytical skill,” “research based activities,” “leadership,” and “mental health.” This gives you some range beyond basic terms. However, inaccurate word choice and collocation are noticeable and sometimes make ideas less clear: “strong foundation base,” “take participates,” and “winning a price” do not express the intended meanings naturally. There are also spelling and word-form errors, such as “thing” for “think” and “mathematic.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than adding formal-sounding phrases. Learning collocations such as “build a strong foundation,” “participate in competitions,” and “win a prize” would make your argument clearer and more fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a reason clause in “because they thing having a good grades are enough” and a relative clause in “which will bring advantages for society.” However, errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to affect clarity. Examples include “institutions are focus,” “theoretical education are,” and “This activities will make them.” The opening sentence also has an incomplete or confusing structure, while the final sentence lacks clear grammatical control. Practise building accurate subject–verb patterns and checking singular and plural forms. Use shorter, complete sentences first, then add subordinate clauses once the main clause is secure.

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