Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

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 terms of the idea that competing against other people can make you better than them, however it will not change you into your best version.

On the one hand, people who think competition is the foundation for everyday human growth. It is evident that some rivalry between friends can be harmless and playful, moreover it can even strengthen their bonds 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 consequences for mental-health. It changes the way we perceive ourselves, like having self-doubt in ourselves.

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

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both competition and cooperation before providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed. However, the development of the 'competition' argument is slightly hampered by a lack of depth; for instance, the transition from 'harmless rivalry' to 'mental health consequences' is a bit abrupt. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the two views, showing a nuanced understanding of the topic. To reach a higher band, ensure that each supporting point is fully explored with more specific examples or deeper analysis rather than moving quickly between ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor issues with cohesion at the sentence level; for example, the phrase 'competing against the other person' in the introduction is slightly awkward, and the transition 'moreover it can even' could be improved with better punctuation or a more sophisticated connector. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. You use some good collocations like 'interpersonal skills,' 'mutually exclusive,' and 'individual achievement.' There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'make a room for' (should be 'make room for') and 'comparison of the two people' (should be 'comparison between'). While the range is adequate to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band score. Focusing on more precise word choices and natural collocations will help elevate your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show control over basic grammar, and your meaning is always clear. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'Some people say that competition... While others say...' (the second sentence is a fragment) and 'competing on who can get better score' (should be 'competing over who can get a better score'). Punctuation is generally functional, though some sentences could be tightened for better flow. To improve, aim for a wider variety of complex structures and pay closer attention to article usage and sentence completeness.

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