Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-17
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 5.0)
Some people assume that competing at workplace, at educational institutions and in daily life is a great way of helping individuals continue growing. In contrast, other people believe that instead of competing against one another, it is advisable to cooperate more. From my perspective, I suppose that 2 factors mentioned above are essential to lead to a sustainable and developed life in any conditions of all aspect of life.
First of all, working environment is not easy for some fresh graduates or even experienced worker to survive during tough time. This gives employees plenty of pressure when they meet managers' expectations. Besides, students also face a variety of problems in academic environment from teachers, peers or schoolwork which drive pupils stressed because of intangible scares that they fall behind in the class. If people do not assist or collaborate each other, it is impossible to overcome obstacles or hard period of time in office, school or their daily life. In the long run, this discourages people to make a plan or accomplish new targets in their life.
On the other hand, if people do not content with each other, they will gradually depend on others' assistance which makes them easily pleased with accomplishments without striving to achieve new challenges.
In conclusion, I think it is necessary to com
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which severely limits the development of ideas. While you introduce both perspectives and state your opinion, the essay is incomplete, ending abruptly mid-sentence. The arguments regarding competition and cooperation are introduced but lack sufficient depth and relevant examples to fully address the prompt. Because the essay is unfinished, the position is not fully developed, and the task requirements are not met. To improve, you must ensure you complete the essay and provide fully supported arguments for both sides of the debate.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay shows some attempt at logical organization, using transition signals like 'First of all' and 'On the other hand'. However, the abrupt ending disrupts the overall coherence of the piece. Paragraphing is present, but the lack of a completed conclusion makes the structure feel incomplete. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow of ideas is hampered by the brevity of the response. To achieve a higher score, ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and that the essay concludes in a way that synthesizes the arguments presented.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for basic communication but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You use some relevant terms like 'educational institutions' and 'sustainable', but there are issues with collocation and word choice, such as 'intangible scares' (likely meaning 'fears') and 'do not content with each other'. The range is limited, and the errors in word choice occasionally affect the clarity of your message. Focus on learning collocations and using more precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas more effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
You demonstrate a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'competing at workplace' (missing article), 'collaborate each other' (missing preposition 'with'), and 'drive pupils stressed' (incorrect verb structure). Punctuation is generally functional, but the grammatical control is inconsistent. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately. Proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms will also help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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