Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-18

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)

There is a growing debate on whether competition is essential in professional and everyday environments. Some believe that it is good while others argue that cooperation is a better solution. This essay will discuss both views before giving my opinion.

Proponents of the first view claim that competition encourages one to work hard and keep hustling in life. It allows a person to push themselves and explore their hidden talents, which otherwise they would not have known about. Without competition, an individual may become overconfident in their capabilities which could lead to negative effects. Additionally, life would just be monotonous without having to race against others. For example, the desire to get a superior position and salary, encourages a person to get up and go to work every morning. This feeling sets a motive in life and allows them to keep moving up the ladder.

Conversely, those who advocate for cooperation believe that competition may have adverse effects on an individuals mental and physical wellbeing. The need for constant comparison leads to a comparison trap where a person thinks of themselves as inferior compared to others. However, cooperation gives people a chance to work as a team and work on fun tasks and projects together. It gives people a chance to strengthen their social bonds where individuals recognize their dependance on one another.

In conclusion, I partially agree with both. On one hand, competition gives life a purpose, motivates people to work harder and keep aiming for higher. However, competition may lead to social comparison, while cooperation promotes teamwork and social relationships.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the link between competition and motivation, and the psychological impact of comparison. However, the development is somewhat limited. The conclusion is quite brief and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, you should aim to extend your examples and provide a more nuanced discussion of how these two concepts might coexist or be balanced in a modern context, rather than simply summarizing the points already made.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

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 like 'Additionally', 'Conversely', and 'On one hand' are used to guide the reader through the argument. However, the flow between sentences could be smoother; some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the final conclusion and the preceding arguments could be more robust to ensure a more cohesive overall progression of thought.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'monotonous', 'superior position', and 'social bonds' are used effectively. There are some minor inaccuracies, such as 'dependance' (spelling: dependence) and 'hustling', which is slightly informal for an academic essay. While you attempt to use less common vocabulary, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler terms. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring precise word choice throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over grammar, and errors do not impede communication. However, there are a few slips, such as 'an individuals mental' (should be 'an individual's') and 'keep aiming for higher' (should be 'aiming higher'). The punctuation is generally accurate, but there is a lack of variety in complex sentence structures. To achieve a higher band, incorporate a wider range of subordinate clauses and ensure that possessive forms and verb patterns are consistently accurate.

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

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