Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01

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)

In contemporary society, the issue of children learning is becoming prevalent increasingly, sparking a considerable debate. Few people believe that primary educational institutes more concentrate on formal learning. I partially agree from this statement because study is important but playing games and other activities are also beneficial for their growth.

On the one hand, there are several factors that is why people think formal learning have more value. To begin with, they want to increase their children knowledge because if they spend more time in reading books they know the world more. In addition, if schools limit the education system just on formal learning learners felt tired physically. Although, education helps them to achieving their required score and they always shows excellent academic performance which creates futher opportunities.

On the other hand, the issue is profoundly paradoxical prevalent. Students learn a significant skills from curiculum activities. Sports help them to learn dicipline with flexibility as well as it asisst to probelm solving, critical thinking and imagination. For instance, if students did not take part in other activities, they have lack of confidence and they will be lazy mentally and physically. Schools should organised events which help to students learn extra skills that they do not learn in formal class system or at home.

To conclude, the issue of children early education is increasing. A balance approach is required. Schools should encourage to scholars to take part in other activities with their formal education. It helps them to boost their confidence and other skills. Although, getting good grades is essential for scholars.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both questions and state a clear, balanced position: you “partially agree” that formal study matters, while arguing that play and other activities also support children’s growth. Relevant points include academic opportunities from study and confidence, discipline, problem-solving and imagination from activities. However, these ideas are not developed evenly. The benefits of formal learning are described generally, and the example about children becoming lazy without activities is asserted rather than explained or illustrated. The response also does not clearly explain how play can be incorporated into classroom learning, which is central to the second question. Develop each main point with a specific example and explain how it supports your view.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, two contrasting body paragraphs and a conclusion. “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” help signal the shift between perspectives, and the conclusion returns to the idea of balance. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. For example, the sentence beginning “Although, education helps them…” does not connect smoothly to the preceding point, and the relationship between limiting formal learning and learners feeling tired is difficult to follow. Some linking phrases, including “To begin with” and “In addition,” organise points mechanically rather than showing their precise relationship. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each explanation directly to the claim it supports; ensure pronouns such as “it” have an unmistakable reference.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “formal learning,” “academic performance,” “critical thinking,” “imagination” and “confidence.” These choices allow you to discuss both classroom study and children’s wider development. However, inaccurate word choice, collocation and spelling are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less clear. Examples include “the issue … is profoundly paradoxical prevalent,” “a significant skills,” and misspellings such as “curiculum,” “dicipline” and “asisst.” Some phrases also sound unnatural, such as “increase their children knowledge” and “take part in other activities with their formal education.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations and check spelling carefully; a smaller set of well-controlled expressions will communicate your ideas more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences, including conditional structures such as “if they spend more time in reading books” and “if students did not take part in other activities.” This shows some range, but errors in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction recur and can make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “there are several factors that is why people think formal learning have more value” has problems with clause structure and agreement; “learners felt tired” shifts tense, while “schools should organised events” uses an incorrect verb form. There are also errors in “a balance approach” and “encourage to scholars.” Practise building accurate complex sentences and check subject–verb agreement, tense consistency and verb patterns before adding further complexity.

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.