Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-07

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)

Competition and cooperation are two fundamental forces that influence how people learn, work and interact with one another. While some argue that competition encourages individuals to perform better, others believe that cooperation produces greater benefits. I believe that although healthy competition can be motivating, cooperation is more valuable in achieving sustainable and collective success.

On the one hand, competition can encourage individuals to improve their performance and achieve ambitious goals. When people compete with others, they are often motivated to work harder, develop their skills and find more effective ways of completing tasks. This can be particularly beneficial in schools and workplaces, where competition may encourage students or employees to reach their full potential. For example, students who compete for academic scholarships may devote more time to their studies and consequently achieve higher grades. Therefore, when it remains healthy and fair, competition can be a powerful source of motivation and personal development.

On the other hand, cooperation is often more effective when people need to solve complex problems or achieve a common objective. By working together, individuals can share knowledge, combine different skills and support one another, which can lead to better outcomes than working against each other. For instance, employees from different departments can collaborate on a project and contribute their respective expertise, allowing a company to solve problems more efficiently. In my view, this collaborative approach is more beneficial in the long term because it promotes teamwork and creates an environment in which people can succeed together rather than at the expense of others.

In conclusion, competition can motivate people to work harder and improve their abilities, whereas cooperation encourages teamwork and collective achievement. Although I recognise the value of healthy competition, I believe that cooperation should be given greater importance because it is more likely to produce sustainable and mutually beneficial results.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

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 personal position throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples provided for both sides of the argument, such as the mention of academic scholarships and departmental collaboration in the workplace. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points and reinforces your stance. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, providing a logical progression of thought from the introduction to the final summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organised with a clear structure. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For instance', and 'Consequently', which help to link your arguments and examples seamlessly. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and your own opinion. The flow of the essay is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear throughout, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this area.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'fundamental forces', 'sustainable and collective success', and 'respective expertise' show a level of precision and sophistication. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, contributing to the clarity of your arguments. While the vocabulary is effective and fits the context well, there is room to incorporate even more nuanced or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, your lexical control is strong and supports the communication of your ideas without any noticeable errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses, such as 'While some argue that competition encourages individuals to perform better, others believe that cooperation produces greater benefits.' Your control over punctuation and sentence structure is excellent, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The use of modal verbs and conditional-like structures is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede meaning. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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