Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-11-14

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 5.5)

In recent years, there has been a debate over wether competition at work, school and in daily life is a fascinating thing, while others believe that we should be one hand and assit each other rather than competing. From my perspective, i believe that competing at work for workers and at school for students is a foster for our productivity as well as gives a sense of responsability.

On the one hand, competition in every aspect of our life play a vital role due to the fact that it enhance our level in productivity as well as creativity. Not only this but also it give us the feeling of responsability as well as displine. For instance, i was working in a company and the employees there was so competitive, which leads us to have a great income to our company in terms of income as well as boost evrery one from us his knowledge and experience.

On the other hand, despite of the beneficial thing of competition, it has also a detrimental effects on competetors since it leads students bullying each other. Moreover, the majority of conflits in companies and also schools are caused by competetors. As a result, we do not find the sense of cooperation as a teamwork at this areas.

In conclusion, competition between classmates and workers is essential because it leads to productivity. Hence, it has a harm effect between them, that is why we should try to balance with this two factors in order to enhance together.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both competition and cooperation and state a position: competition can improve productivity, but balance is needed because it may cause harm. The workplace example about employees contributing to company income and developing their knowledge is relevant. However, the two views are not explored equally: the benefits of competition receive more explanation, while cooperation is mainly presented as an absence of bullying and conflict. The conclusion also says competition is “essential” without clearly explaining how cooperation should work alongside it. To strengthen the response, explain the advantages of cooperation directly—for example, how sharing skills can help a team solve problems—and develop your position consistently across the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposts such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the broad direction. However, connections within sentences are sometimes mechanical or unclear. For example, “Not only this but also” does not link smoothly to the previous point, and “Hence” introduces a relationship that is difficult to follow in the conclusion. Some references, such as “this two factors,” are also unclear. Improve progression by making each paragraph’s main point explicit, then linking the explanation and example directly to it; use fewer formulaic transitions and ensure pronouns clearly refer to specific ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “productivity,” “creativity,” “detrimental effects,” and “cooperation.” These choices show an attempt to discuss both positive and negative consequences. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or collocations make parts difficult to understand, such as “we should be one hand,” “a foster for our productivity,” and “a harm effect.” Spelling errors, including “wether,” “assit,” and “responsability,” also reduce accuracy. Build a more reliable set of topic phrases and check spelling and word forms carefully. Prefer natural combinations such as “work together,” “encourage productivity,” and “have a harmful effect,” rather than translating expressions literally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex structures, including “despite of the beneficial thing of competition” and “which leads us to have a great income,” but these constructions are often faulty. Errors in agreement and verb forms occur in examples such as “competition … play” and “it enhance”; the sentence about employees also shifts between “was” and “leads.” There are problems with articles, plurals, and sentence construction, as in “it has also a detrimental effects” and “students bullying each other.” These errors sometimes make the intended meaning harder to follow. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then combine them with controlled clauses using “because,” “although,” and “which.” Check subject–verb agreement and singular/plural forms during revision.

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