Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-24

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)

Competition and cooperation are two fundamental aspects of human interaction, and while some people support competing in all aspects of life, others prefer to work together. In my opinion, while competition can drive individual achievements, cooperation is more beneficial for growth.

Those who advocate for competition assert that it is a powerful motivator that pushes individuals to excel. In educational settings, it can encourage students to achieve higher academic standards. Students who strive to be at the top of their class, for instance, may put in more effort and perform better on exams. Similarly, at work, competition can lead to increased productivity and innovation. Employees competing for promotions or bonuses are likely to be driven to develop creative solutions to problems.

On the other hand, environments that promote working together are more supportive. At school, cooperative learning methods, such as group projects, can help students develop essential social skills, including communication, empathy, and teamwork. These skills are crucial for both academic success and personal development. In the workplace, a cooperative culture can enhance collaboration and lead to more innovative and efficient problem-solving. Teams that work well together can produce better outcomes, as opposed to environments where competition creates pressure and burnout. A cutthroat atmosphere from excessive struggles and rivalries can result in a toxic culture where employees prioritize personal gain over collective achievement, ultimately harming the organization's overall performance.

In conclusion, while competition can drive individual achievement and innovation, I believe that working together is more conducive to long-term success and well-being. Encouraging cooperative behaviors, therefore, can lead to more harmonious and productive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

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 well-developed, particularly the discussion on the benefits of cooperation in the workplace and school. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as group projects and the potential for toxic cultures in overly competitive environments. The essay is well-structured and follows a logical progression, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced examples or explore the potential downsides of cooperation to add further depth to the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using phrases like 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'Similarly' and 'ultimately', which help connect ideas within and between sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different arguments. The flow of the essay is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning. The use of referencing is clear, and the overall structure is coherent, fitting the criteria for a Band 7.5 or 8.0; I have awarded a 7.5 for consistent, clear organization.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'fundamental aspects', 'academic standards', 'innovative', 'collaboration', and 'conducive'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the collocations are generally natural, such as 'cutthroat atmosphere' and 'long-term success'. While the range is good, it does not consistently reach the level of 'sophisticated' or 'skilful' use of uncommon lexical items required for the highest bands. However, the vocabulary is precise and contributes to a clear, professional tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional-like constructions ('If... then' implied) and subordinate clauses ('while some people support...', 'as opposed to environments where...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled throughout. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the essay shows a high level of accuracy, justifying a strong score in this criterion.

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