Quick Links: 5.5 Bands Sample, 6 Bands Sample, 6.5 Bands Sample
Read a model sample essay on the topic of: In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays. This essay will help you understand the correct structure and advanced vocabulary that you can use in the essay for higher scores.
In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays.
What is the value of long school holidays?
What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?
Band Score: 5.5 Bands
Some people argue that in many countries, the period of the summer holidays at primary and secondary school takes two or more months. People argue about the value of short and long school holidays nowadays. Moreover, people have not already decided what is the best way for students.
Firstly, some people argue that long school holidays should be an interesting way to develop practical student’s hobbies such as sports, playing an instrument or just travelling around the world. In addition, long holidays can lead students to relax a little bit and forgive all the school workload done over the school period.
Secondly, other people, controversially, believe that shorter school holidays can be an impressive development of the education system. Over the years, students always have the same behavior in summer, in fact, they go out with their friends without an objective, and they can be led to a bad situation because in their age, the majority of adolescents often try new things such as drinking or smoking. But short holidays can help them to find a better alternative. Furthermore, many students are lazy, and they spend all of their time in front of a monitor in their summer, unfortunately this can be a common issue.
In my opinion, the best way for primary and secondary school is to reduce the summer holidays and divide them over the year, in this way students cannot become extremely lazy, and go out so frequently. I also believe that short holidays can increase the focus of the students and have more positive results.
In conclusion, although long summer holidays give students time to pursue personal interests and relax after a busy academic year, they can also lead to boredom, unhealthy habits, and a loss of routine. Distributing shorter breaks evenly throughout the school year would keep students engaged, reduce burnout, and ultimately improve their overall academic performance.
Written by an IELTS Candidate
Band Score Analysis:
- Poor introduction [wrong paraphrasing, and two questions are not answered properly]
- The student has given two benefits [develop hobbies and relax]. It would have been better if he had added only one benefit with proper explanation in the first body paragraph.
- Just like the previous mistake, the student has made the same mistake in body paragraph 2.
- There are some mistakes in the use of prepositions.
- In this essay, there is no need for a personal opinion.
- We should never bring a new idea in the conclusion (loss of routine) that is not explained anywhere in the whole essay
- The student has given a solution in the conclusion, which is not needed at all in this essay type.
Band Score: 6 Bands
It is argued that educational institutions are temporarily closed for two months during the summer. From my perspective, a long school holiday is considered a great opportunity for the students to experience travelling or working. I firmly believe that shorter school holidays can only be for intelligent students who want to achieve extraordinary academic excellence.
Firstly, school holiday has been a valid chance for students to spend a memorable vacation. When students have well spent holidays, it has significantly enhanced their academic performance. Furthermore, summer holidays have played a vital role as a gap between two academic years, therefore students can prepare themselves mentally and physically for the following year. Secondly, most students have spent these two months working in a part time roles. They have found it a good opportunity to try the working life. This experience has developed students’ personalities considerably because they are able to experience work in such an early stage.
While, some people believe that summer holidays should be shorter. Short holidays might be convenient with students who have distinctive abilities. Educational sectors can lead them to programs which offer shorter holidays. For example, these programs have to allow them to finish their high school in two years instead of three years. This approach might result in negative consequences but it can be optional for students who consider long holidays are completely waste of time. Although these programs suit the students with exceptional talents, they will be under pressure.
In conclusion, students need long holidays since it is crucial for their well-being. Moreover, holidays have contributed to increasing students’ productivity during the academic year. However, shortening the summer holiday might be appropriate under obvious conditions.
Written by an IELTS Candidate
Band Score Analysis:
- Some extra information is added in a paraphrased statement that was not in the original question statement.
- The question is not asking for our personal opinions, so the student should not have used words like ‘From my perspective’ or ‘I firmly believe’. We need to give reasons generally.
- The reasons are clear but need more clarity in topic sentences.
- The second body paragraph is not properly developed and not cohesive either.
- The student needs to learn the rules of subject-verb agreement.
- Punctuation and other grammar mistakes exist as well.
Band Score: 6.5 Bands
Elementary and higher secondary schools are closed consecutively for two months in several countries. The reason is that there is a significant rise in temperature during summer, and it gives students proper time for skills development. However, people who are in favour of shorter holidays think that a decrease in the number of vacations can lead to less disruptive studies.
Most countries declare holidays during summer vacation. It is because of gradual increases in temperature that make it impossible for students and teachers to continue learning effectively. Due to this, a large number of students start skipping classes, which could result in poor grades . Therefore, schools allow students to have a long summer vacation, so they can stay at home and focus on thier studies in a better way.
Moreover, two months of long summer vacation can facilitate students in developing skills that could be beneficial in future. During these vacations, a large number of students start to take admission in the institute where the courses of their interest are available. These courses facilitate students in exploring opportunities that teaches some practical skills important for their careers. For example, some students participate in basic computer programming classes during summer vacations; this basic learning help them to gain valuable skills that in combination with advanced studies will give them a chance to secure good jobs.
Although long summer vacations can be beneficial for students in terms of developing skills, they can also affect their academic studies. Because some students take summer holidays only for recreational activities such as playing video games, watching TV shows, and movies, and usually forget about their studies. Therefore, many parents believe that there should be fewer summer holidays than two months.
To conclude, elementary and secondary schools allow students two months of summer vacation because of sharp increases in the temperature and facilitate the students for development of extracurricular skills. However, reducing the number of holidays can cause less interruption in studies.
Written by an IELTS Candidate
Band Score Analysis:
- The student has effectively paraphrased the question statement and wrote a good introduction, which answers all the questions of the prompt.
- There is appropriate paragraphing to discuss different ideas or questions.
- There is a good use of linking words.
- The conclusion needs improvement.
- Student has also used some compound and complex sentences
- To increase the score to 7 bands, the student should use uncommon vocabulary.
Read this helpful blog on how to get 8 bands in IELTS writing.
Evaluated By: Hamza Ahmad
I’m an English language trainer with 3+ years of experience in IELTS, helping students achieve scores as high as an 8.0 overall band. A published contributor to Modern English Teacher (MET), I founded IELTS Prep and Practice to help students hit their target scores through proven strategies and personalized coaching.
Contact Now




