Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

In today's rapidly changing world competition at work, at school and in daily life has become a matter considerable debate. While some people believe that having competition is a good thing, others argue that we should try to cooperate more rather than competing against each other. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining why I believe that competing is a good thing.

On the one hand, competition can have several positive effects on people's performance. When individuals compete with others, they often become more motivated to work harder and achieve better results. For example, students who compete for higher marks may spend more time studying and try to improve their weaknesses. Similarly, competition between employees can encourage them to be more productive and develop new skills.

On the other hand, cooperation is also important because many tasks cannot be completed successfully by one person alone. When people work together, they can share their knowledge, skills and ideas, which can help them solve problems more effectively. For instance, employees working on a large project can divide the responsibilities among themselves and support each other when difficulties arise. Moreover, cooperation can create stronger relationships and reduce unnecessary pressure between people.

In my opinion, although cooperation is essential for achieving common goals, competition is a good thing when it is kept healthy and fair. It encourages people to improve themselves, work harder and become more confident in their abilities. Therefore, I believe that competition and cooperation should both have a place in our daily lives, but healthy competition can provide stronger motivation for individual improvement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student adequately addresses the task by discussing both views on competition and cooperation. They provide relevant reasons and examples to support their argument, especially in the section discussing the benefits of competition, such as motivation and productivity. However, the conclusion could be clearer to reinforce their stance on the importance of competition alongside cooperation. Overall, this is a good discussion, but a bit more clarity on the final opinion could enhance effectiveness.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates good coherence and cohesion. The introduction clearly states the topic and outlines the forthcoming discussion. Each paragraph logically progresses, with appropriate use of linking words and phrases, e.g., "On the one hand", "On the other hand". However, the concluding sentence lacks a strong summary of the key points discussed, which could improve the closure of the essay. Transitions between ideas are clear, but some sentences could benefit from more varied structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The lexical resource is strong, with a range of vocabulary used appropriately. Words like "motivation", "productivity", "performance", and "collaborate" show a good grasp of relevant academic language. However, there are instances of more simplistic language such as "good thing". The use of more sophisticated synonyms could enhance the response. Overall, the vocabulary choices are effective, but a few advanced options would elevate the language to a higher band level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The grammatical range and accuracy are generally strong, with varied sentence structures and overall clarity. There are minor errors, such as in the phrase "a matter considerable debate", which should be "a matter of considerable debate". Despite these small mistakes, they do not significantly hinder comprehension. More complex sentence forms are used effectively, although including a wider variety of complex grammatical structures would enhance the evaluation.

Overall feedback

Overall, the essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the topic and presents balanced arguments on competition and cooperation. The introduction sets up the discussion well, but the conclusion could be improved by summarizing the key points more firmly and reiterating the writer's opinion. Additionally, enhancing vocabulary by using more sophisticated terms would strengthen the essay. The coherence is marked by smooth transitions, but variations in sentence structures could make the writing more engaging. By addressing these areas, the student can aim for a higher band score.

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