Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-27

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 8.5)

The debate over whether rivalry or teamwork yields better outcomes in work, education, and daily life is ongoing. While healthy competition can drive personal excellence and efficiency, I believe cooperation plays a far more fundamental role in achieving long-term progress and social cohesion.

On the one hand, advocates of competition argue that it acts as a powerful catalyst for motivation and improvement. In academic and professional settings, competing against peers encourages individuals to push beyond their comfort zones, sharpen their skills, and maximize productivity. For instance, companies that foster a competitive environment often innovate faster because employees strive to outperform one another. Similarly, in daily life, competitive sports inspire people to maintain physical fitness and discipline. Thus, rivalry can extract high levels of performance that might otherwise remain untapped.

On the other hand, proponents of cooperation emphasize that collective achievement outweighs individual success. Complex modern problems, whether in global business or scientific research, are rarely solved by one person acting alone. Collaboration fosters synergy, effective communication, and emotional well-being by reducing the stress and toxicity often associated with cutthroat competition. Furthermore, teaching children to cooperate in school prepares them to build strong social bonds and work harmoniously in diverse teams later in life.

In conclusion, although competition can undoubtedly push individuals to achieve peak performance, it can also lead to burnout and rivalry if unmanaged. In my opinion, cooperation is ultimately more valuable, as working together builds inclusive environments, achieves sustainable success, and reflects the true essence of human progress.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both the benefits of competition and the merits of cooperation, while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are logically developed, with relevant examples provided for both sides of the argument. The introduction clearly outlines the scope of the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your viewpoint. The arguments are balanced and well-reasoned, demonstrating a strong ability to handle a complex discursive task. No parts of the prompt were neglected, and the development of ideas is thorough and coherent.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing viewpoints is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words like 'Furthermore', 'Thus', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and the internal structure of each paragraph is sound, with clear topic sentences followed by supporting details and examples.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. You use sophisticated collocations and academic terminology such as 'social cohesion', 'catalyst for motivation', 'synergy', and 'sustainable success' with natural control. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The vocabulary is well-suited to the formal tone required for an academic essay, and you avoid repetitive language by using varied synonyms throughout the text. This level of lexical control is indicative of a high-band performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences, conditional clauses, and participial phrases. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You successfully integrate complex structures, such as 'whether in global business or scientific research, are rarely solved by one person acting alone', which demonstrates grammatical maturity. There are no significant errors that impede communication, and the overall flow is natural and grammatically sound. The accuracy is consistent throughout the entire piece.

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