Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-07-28

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 9.0)

Opinions are divided on whether a competitive mindset or a collaborative approach is more beneficial in society. While healthy competition can drive individual excellence and innovation, I firmly believe that fostering cooperation yields far greater benefits for overall productivity, mental well-being, and social harmony.

On the one hand, proponents of competition argue that rivalries in schools, workplaces, and daily life serve as powerful catalysts for personal achievement. In academic and professional environments, striving to outperform peers can motivate individuals to stretch their limits, build resilience, and achieve higher standards of performance. For instance, in corporate settings, performance-based rewards and competitive sales targets often spur employees to work more efficiently and come up with creative solutions. Furthermore, on a broader scale, market competition between businesses fuels technological innovation, lowers costs, and ultimately provides better products and services for consumers.

On the other hand, the arguments in favour of cooperation are rooted in its ability to build sustainable success and strong communities. In modern workplaces and educational systems, complex problems rarely have single-handed solutions; they require diverse skill sets working in synergy. When individuals collaborate, they share knowledge, divide tasks effectively, and achieve outcomes that no single person could accomplish alone. Moreover, hyper-competitive environments frequently breed toxicity, excessive stress, and burnout, whereas cooperative settings foster psychological safety, trust, and mutual support—qualities essential for long-term health and success.

In my opinion, while competition has its place in driving short-term performance, cooperation is fundamentally superior for long-term societal progress. Human civilization has advanced primarily through collective effort—from major scientific breakthroughs to community building. Instilling a spirit of collaboration in schools and offices prepares people to navigate an interconnected world, ensuring that progress is inclusive rather than hostile.

In conclusion, although competition can inspire high individual performance and market efficiency, its tendency to cause stress and division makes it less desirable as a primary mindset. Embracing cooperation creates a healthier, more productive, and harmonious society where shared goals take precedence over individual rivalry.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both the benefits of competition and the advantages of cooperation, while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between short-term performance gains and long-term societal progress. Each paragraph is focused and contributes effectively to the overall argument, demonstrating a high level of task response that meets the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints and your own opinion is seamless. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary. Phrases like 'powerful catalysts', 'strive to outperform', 'synergy', and 'psychological safety' are used accurately and in appropriate contexts. The language is natural and precise, showing a high level of control over collocation and nuance. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary used is well-suited to the academic tone of the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use subordinate clauses, parallel structures, and varied sentence lengths to maintain flow. The punctuation is precise, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex sentence forms is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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