Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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)

Primary schools pay more attention on formal learning. They indulge students in academic activities only. Students have almost same routine everyday. I strongly disagree with this opinion. There should be playing activities with formal learning.

To begin with, students who just focus on studies may not good in other activities, but students involved in physical activities are more energetic and mentally strong. They may be able to handle pressure situations batter than those who just keep on learning every time. For instance, students playing different games, has more stemina and better situation handling abilities. They may be able to absorb hectic pressure situations easily. They are physically as well as mentally fit than others. This boosts them, as they feel change in their daily routine and may able to focus more on their studies.

Moreover, sports and physical activities has same importance as studies. Unfortunately, primary schools lack focus on these activities. Children has hectic routine they follow everyday. Old learning methods are boring and time consuming as well. There should be different activities through which children learn and enjoy at the same time. This will enhance their interest in learning. These activities may endeavour leadership qualities and enable them to think out of the box. In many countries, there are no books in primary schools. Children learn by physical activities only.

In conclusion, learning by physical activities is an essential part of learning. Children can learn more with activities than formal ways of learning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear overall view that formal learning should be balanced with play, and you offer relevant reasons, including fitness, handling pressure and increased interest in learning. However, the response only partially develops the task: the first question asks how far you agree that schools focus too much on formal learning, but your opening says “I strongly disagree” without explaining why that claim is wrong, while the body largely argues for more play. The importance of play is addressed more directly, though examples remain general; the claim that children in some countries learn “by physical activities only” needs explanation or a specific example. The response is also five words below the required minimum. Develop both parts of the question explicitly and support claims with clearer examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs introduced by “To begin with” and “Moreover,” and a conclusion. The ideas within each paragraph are generally related, and the conclusion returns to the value of learning through activities. However, progression is sometimes repetitive: physical and mental benefits, pressure handling, and fitness are restated rather than developed into distinct points. Connections between claims are occasionally unclear, particularly “This boosts them,” where the reference is vague, and the final example about countries without books is introduced without showing how it supports the preceding point. Use clearer links between cause and effect, avoid repeating benefits, and make each paragraph build one main argument with a specific supporting example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “physical activities,” “handle pressure situations,” “leadership qualities” and “think out of the box,” which helps communicate the main ideas. There are also noticeable problems with word choice, collocation and spelling that make some phrases less natural, such as “pay more attention on,” “better situation handling abilities,” “endeavour leadership qualities” and “stemina.” “Hectic pressure situations” is also awkward, and “formal ways of learning” is imprecise in the conclusion. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the overall argument, but the vocabulary is not consistently controlled. Focus on accurate word partnerships and check spelling; choosing a simpler, natural phrase is better than using an ambitious expression inaccurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex sentences, for example, “students who just focus on studies may not good in other activities, but students involved in physical activities are more energetic,” and you use linking clauses such as “through which children learn and enjoy.” However, the range is limited and errors occur frequently. Examples include the missing verb in “may not good,” subject–verb disagreement in “sports and physical activities has” and “Children has,” and the incorrect construction “may able to focus.” There are also problems with articles and plurals, as in “same routine” and “different games, has.” These errors sometimes make sentences difficult to process. Practise reliable sentence patterns, especially modal verbs, agreement and articles, then proofread each sentence for a complete and correctly formed verb phrase.

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