Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

Some people say that competition at work, at school and in everyday life is a good thing. While others say we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against the other person. Personally, I agree in some terms that competing against other people can make you better than them, however it will not change you into a your best version.

On one hand, people who think competition is the fundamental for everyday human growth. It is evident that some rivalry between friends can be harmless and playful, moreover it can even strengthen their bonding in some cases. For example, competing on who can get better score on their exam or it can be something simple like running. However the competition usually can cause comparison of the two people, it leads to a consequences of mental-health. It changes the way we perceive ourselves, like having self-doubt in themselves.

On the other hand, cooperating with each-other has a more idealistic way to improve ourselves with other human connections. In order to cooperate they often make a room for the other person's opinion or assumption. In schools, for instance, group projects teach children communication and teamwork skills that are essential in most modern workplaces. Additionally, excessive competition can create stress, anxiety, and even unhealthy rivalry, whereas a cooperative approach tends to foster stronger relationships and a more supportive environment.

In conclusion, while competition can drive individual achievement and innovation, cooperation builds essential interpersonal skills and reduces harmful stress. In my view, the two approaches are not mutually exclusive; a combination of healthy competition and strong collaborative skills is most beneficial for success in school, work, and life in general.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both the benefits of competition and the advantages of cooperation, while clearly stating your own position. Your ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly in the second body paragraph regarding the educational benefits of teamwork. However, the first body paragraph is slightly underdeveloped; while you mention that competition can lead to mental health issues, this point could be expanded with more specific examples or a clearer explanation of how this occurs in a professional or academic setting. Overall, your position is consistent and the response is balanced, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'on the other hand,' 'moreover,' and 'in addition,' which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. However, there are minor issues with referencing and flow; for example, the phrase 'competing against the other person' in the introduction is slightly vague, and the transition between the benefits of competition and its negative consequences within the first paragraph could be smoother. Despite these minor mechanical issues, the progression of ideas is clear throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'fundamental for everyday human growth,' 'mutually exclusive,' and 'interpersonal skills' show an ability to use more sophisticated language. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'make a room for' (should be 'make room for') and 'consequences of mental-health' (should be 'consequences for mental health'). While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. Expanding your use of collocations would further improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'While others say' (a sentence fragment), 'the fundamental for' (should be 'the fundamental of'), and 'self-doubt in themselves' (redundant). Additionally, there are minor punctuation and article errors throughout. While these errors are noticeable, they do not cause difficulty for the reader or impede the overall meaning of your argument. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly.

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