Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-11

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 6.5)

Competition has become a part of every individual's life these days. It is widely argued that some people believe that competition is beneficial while others say that we should help each other and work together rather than being in competition against each other. I firmly agree with the latter view because working in a team is less stressful and saves a lot of time.

On one hand, people think competition in everyday life is good because it gives people motivation to work hard and stay productive. These days, children are facing competition in studies, employees at work and many others in their daily lives. As a result, it gives them an opportunity to realize their hidden potential and they can perform well in every task. For instance, students put more effort to achieve good grades and to get enrolled in one of the best universities as competition is higher. Consequently, many believe people perform well when they are under pressure.

On the other hand, some argue that people should work together and help each other because it reduces stress, saves others time and makes others' lives easier. Furthermore, working in a group makes learning more efficient and provides a chance to build more connections. People from different backgrounds can help each other when someone gets stuck somewhere in the learning phase. In addition, it develops other skills like mutual respect and enhances social interactions, which can be useful for a person in future life. For example, employees can work together on a project and may be able to find better solutions more quickly instead of being in a competition.

In conclusion, although competition makes people more productive, I believe that helping each other can be more beneficial for some individuals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both competition and cooperation before providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as students aiming for university enrollment and employees working on projects. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat brief. To reach a higher band, you could expand on the 'why' behind these points, perhaps by discussing the long-term psychological impact of competition versus the specific nature of collaborative innovation. Overall, the task is fulfilled adequately, though the depth of analysis remains at a functional level rather than a fully extended one.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is generally clear, though some transitions feel a bit standard. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure supports the reader's understanding of the argument without any confusion or mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly. You demonstrate a good grasp of topic-specific terms like 'hidden potential,' 'mutual respect,' and 'social interactions.' However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited; there is a reliance on simpler phrases like 'good thing,' 'perform well,' and 'everyday life.' To improve, try incorporating more precise, academic collocations or less common synonyms to demonstrate a wider range. For example, instead of 'good thing,' you could use 'advantageous' or 'conducive to success.' The word choice is accurate and does not impede communication, but it lacks the sophistication required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, and errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. For instance, your use of conditional-like structures and complex sentences (e.g., 'People from different backgrounds can help each other when someone gets stuck...') is effective. However, there are minor slips, such as 'some people believe that competition is beneficial while others say that we should help each other,' which could be punctuated more precisely. To move up, aim for a greater variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or inverted sentences, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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