Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-31

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)

In recent years, there has been increasing debate about whether teahers gives attention to those children who studing in grade 1 to grade 5 on important learning. I largely agreed that practical learning is also very important as theoratical learning.

firstly, I could be argued that if teachers give focus only on the theoratical learning then students could not relate there studies with real life. This is because learning in the classroom provide an idea and many students do not how to perform there ideas in real life as, they never applied there ideas in physical world before and they did not aware what consequences, they will face outside the classroom. This means that learning from books will not enough.

However, i would agree that when students in the there early ages it is best time to learning and adopt new things, Then they will applied there learnings in the future. The reason for this is that teachers focuses more in the primary school individuals because they knowed that there learning abilities are very quick at this age. Furthermore, physical sports plays very crucial role in the students life. In this, they will teach how to tackle stress, control on nerves in the difficult times and never lose hope before the games ends. In classsrom, individuals gives attention on theoratical work for limited time period while if they palying there favourite things, there minds will work fast and more focus as well as they will learn how to do work in a team. Ultimately, by playing they will show more accurate results in exam.

In conclusion, i largely agreed that schools do right thing by giving more attention to there students from class 1 to class 5 as they know that it is right time for individuals to adopt valueable learnings.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You take a position, saying you “largely agreed,” and give relevant reasons for combining learning with practical activity, including applying ideas in real life, managing stress through sport, and learning teamwork. These examples show an understanding of the topic. However, the response only partly answers the questions: it does not clearly explain whether primary schools focus too much on formal learning, and the conclusion instead says schools are right to give students “more attention,” which does not directly resolve the issue of balance. The importance of play is discussed, but several points are asserted rather than explained—for example, that play leads to “more accurate results in exam.” State your view on formal learning explicitly and develop a specific example to support it.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, two main paragraphs and a conclusion, and the contrast signalled by “However” helps indicate a shift in the argument. There is also a generally understandable sequence from classroom learning to the benefits of sport and play. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first paragraph focuses on practical learning, while the next moves among early learning, sports, stress management, teamwork and exam results without clearly linking each point. Some connections are difficult to follow, such as “In this,” and the conclusion introduces the idea of giving students “more attention” rather than summarising the argument about formal learning and play. Use topic sentences that identify each paragraph’s main point, and make references and transitions more precise.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “theoretical learning,” “real life,” “physical sports,” “stress,” and “team.” This gives you a basic range for discussing classroom learning and play. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “give focus,” “adopt new things,” “control on nerves,” and “accurate results in exam.” Spelling errors, including “teahers,” “theoratical,” and “classsrom,” also make the writing less clear and reduce the impression of control. Build a bank of natural phrases for education and child development, and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you explain the difference between formal instruction and learning through play.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a conditional structure beginning “if teachers give focus only…” and a reason clause introduced by “This is because.” These attempts show some range, but complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make parts of the argument difficult to follow. Examples include “teahers gives,” “students do not how to perform,” “they did not aware,” and “they will applied.” There are also problems with articles, agreement and sentence construction, as in “when students in the there early ages” and “physical sports plays.” Review basic verb forms and subject–verb agreement, then practise building shorter, accurate sentences before joining ideas with clauses. Check punctuation and capitalisation as part of proofreading.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.