Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-08

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

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

Student answer (Band 4.0)

It is sometimes argued that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing but other believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other. I largely agree with this view, since competing creats opportunity to succeed in life.

The main reason I support this view is that without competing mindset its very hard to get success in this fast paced world. Every day, each second we are in a race so we need have that competitive mindset to achieve the highest goal of the life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response gives a clear, though brief, position: “I largely agree” that competition is beneficial, and it offers a reason by saying competition can help people succeed in a fast-paced world. However, it does not discuss the opposing view of cooperation, so a central part of the task is missing. The supporting point is also asserted rather than explained or illustrated; for example, the claim that people are “in a race” is not developed with a relevant example. The response contains 67 words, which is 183 words below the 250-word minimum; 28 copied words from the task prompt were not counted. To improve, address both views, explain your opinion, and support each main point with specific reasoning or examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The ideas are presented in a basic sequence: an opening states a position, followed by a paragraph giving a reason. The phrase “The main reason I support this view” signals the relationship between the paragraphs, and the response is generally understandable. However, the progression is very limited: there is no discussion of cooperation, no developed supporting sequence, and no conclusion. Some linking is also awkward, particularly the opening sentence, which joins the two views and the writer’s opinion without clearly distinguishing them. Organise the essay into an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Use linking phrases to show contrast and cause, while ensuring each paragraph develops one clear point.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a small range of relevant vocabulary, including “competition,” “cooperate,” “competitive mindset,” and “achieve,” so the main topic is clear. Some phrases attempt to express broader ideas, such as “fast paced world” and “highest goal of the life,” but the wording is not consistently natural or precise. There is also a spelling error in “creats,” and “competing” is repeated without much variation. These limitations fit a response with restricted vocabulary and noticeable inaccuracies, although the reader can understand the intended meaning. Build a wider set of topic-specific expressions and check spelling, word forms, and collocations. For instance, explain what success means in a particular context rather than relying on general phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response includes both a longer sentence with a subordinate clause (“since competing…”) and shorter statements, showing an attempt to vary sentence structure. The main ideas remain understandable, but grammatical control is inconsistent. In “other believe,” the subject and verb do not agree; “without competing mindset” is missing an article, and “its very hard” needs the contraction “it’s.” The sentence beginning “Every day, each second” also has an awkward structure, while “we need have” is missing “to.” Most sentences rely on straightforward patterns, so there is little evidence of a wider range used accurately. Practise agreement, articles, and verb patterns, then use a few controlled complex sentences to explain and support your ideas.

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