Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-22

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 7.5)

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 7 Model Answer

Competition is a common feature of modern life, particularly in workplaces, schools and other social environments. While some people believe that competition encourages individuals to perform better, others argue that cooperation is more beneficial. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe a balance between competition and cooperation is the most effective approach.

On the one hand, competition can motivate people to work harder and achieve better results. When individuals compete with others, they often set higher goals and make greater efforts to improve their skills. For example, students who compete for high grades may study more consistently and become more disciplined. Similarly, competition between companies can encourage them to develop better products and provide higher-quality services. Therefore, healthy competition can contribute to both personal development and social progress.

On the other hand, excessive competition can create stress and damage relationships. If people are constantly focused on defeating others, they may become unwilling to share knowledge or support their colleagues. In schools, for instance, students who are too concerned about being the best may refuse to help classmates because they see them as rivals. Cooperation, by contrast, allows people to combine their skills and knowledge to achieve a common goal. This is particularly important in the workplace, where successful projects often depend on effective teamwork rather than individual performance.

In my opinion, cooperation is generally more important, but competition should not be completely eliminated. A reasonable level of competition can encourage people to improve themselves, while cooperation ensures that they can work effectively with others. For example, employees can compete individually to improve their performance while still cooperating with colleagues to complete a larger project.

In conclusion, competition can encourage ambition, motivation and innovation, whereas cooperation promotes teamwork and stronger relationships. I believe that the best approach is to maintain healthy competition while giving greater importance to cooperation, especially when people are working towards shared objectives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both the benefits of competition and the advantages of cooperation, and you have provided a well-reasoned personal opinion that synthesizes both views. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of students and workplace dynamics. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points while reinforcing your stance. The essay is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective signposting language like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, such as 'Similarly', 'By contrast', and 'Therefore'. The paragraphing is skillful, with each paragraph serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure of the argument. The flow of information is logical and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You use less common lexical items effectively, such as 'social progress', 'excessive competition', 'innovation', and 'shared objectives'. The word choices are appropriate for an academic context and demonstrate a good awareness of collocation. While the vocabulary is strong and precise, it does not quite reach the level of 'sophisticated' or 'natural' control required for the highest band, but it is certainly well above the requirements for a band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, including conditional sentences ('If people are constantly focused...') and subordinate clauses ('While some people believe...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms to convey your ideas clearly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is high, reflecting a strong command of English syntax.

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