# Physical activity and academic performance: IELTS Writing Task 2 samples

Writing Task 2 - Education

Some people believe that students who do regular physical activity perform better in their studies, so schools should spend more time on sport and exercise, even if this means fewer academic lessons. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo.

## Band 6 sample

These days, many students spend most of their time sitting in classroom and studying for exams. Some people think that regular physical activity can help students to get better results, so schools should give more time for sport even if there are less academic lessons. I agree with this idea for the following reasons.

Firstly, exercise is good for students' body and mind. When students play sport, more blood goes to the brain and they can concentrate better in the class. For example, in my school we had football practice every morning before the lessons, and I remember that I felt more awake and active during maths class. Also, sport reduce stress. Many students feel a lot of pressure before exams, and playing basketball or running for thirty minutes helps them to relax.

Secondly, sport teach students important skills which are useful for studying too. In a team, students learn to work together, to follow the rules and to manage their time. These skills can help them in group projects and when they prepare for exams at the end of the year.

However, some people say that if schools have fewer academic lessons, students will not finish the syllabus and their results will be lower. This is partly true, but I think one or two hours of sport in a week will not make a big difference. Students can learn more effectively in shorter lessons if they are healthy and focused.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that regular physical activity improves students' academic performance. Schools should increase the time for sport and exercise, because healthy students are usually better learners and they will get higher marks.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 6 essay gives a clear position and supports it with relevant ideas, including a personal example about "football practice every morning". However, it claims to "strongly agree" while admitting that the opposing argument "is partly true", and it never explains how much academic time could safely be cut. Errors such as "less academic lessons", "sport reduce stress" and "sport teach students" are noticeable but rarely confusing. For Band 7, the writer would deal with both parts of the statement separately and keep the position consistent throughout.

## Band 7 sample

It is often claimed that physically active students achieve better academic results, and that schools should therefore devote more of the timetable to sport, even at the expense of academic subjects. While I agree that exercise benefits learning, I do not believe that reducing academic lessons is the right way to achieve this.

There is good reason to think that regular exercise helps students learn. Physical activity improves fitness and sleep, and it gives young people a break from long hours of sitting still, which makes it easier for them to pay attention in later lessons. In addition, sport is an effective way of coping with stress. A teenager who is anxious about exams may find that a game of badminton clears their mind far better than another hour of revision.

However, the second part of the argument is less convincing. Academic lessons are already under pressure in many schools, and in subjects like mathematics or languages, students need regular, sustained practice to make progress. If a school replaced two maths lessons a week with extra sport, weaker students in particular could fall behind, and the benefits of exercise might not be enough to compensate.

A better solution would be to build more activity into the existing school day without sacrificing core subjects. Some schools, for example, begin each morning with fifteen minutes of exercise, while others use lunchtime and after-school clubs to give every student the chance to be active. Teachers can also include short movement breaks within long lessons, which costs almost no teaching time.

In conclusion, I agree that physical activity can improve academic performance, but I disagree that it should come at the cost of academic lessons. Schools should find ways to make students more active while protecting the time needed for learning.

**Examiner notes.** This Band 7 essay handles a two-part statement well, agreeing that exercise helps learning but rejecting the idea that it should come "at the cost of academic lessons". The proposed alternative, such as "short movement breaks within long lessons", directly supports this partial agreement. Vocabulary is accurate ("even at the expense of", "fall behind"), though some ideas, such as better sleep, are mentioned without explanation. A Band 8 essay would explain the central mechanism more precisely and qualify its claims with greater control.

The Band 8 sample is free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/physical-activity-and-academic-performance).

## Common questions

### How many words should I write?

At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; an answer under the minimum loses marks.

### Can I use these sample answers in my test?

No. Memorised material is marked down and you will not get this exact question. Use the samples to see what each band does with the same task.