Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-08-29

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 7.0)

while certain individuals believe that competing in workplace, educational institutions and everyday life is fairly beneficial, others argue that cooperation should be encouraged.Although competition can motivate individuals to achieve their goals, I believe that cooperation is ultimately more beneficial for both individuals and society.

On one hand, competition can be a powerful source of impetus.In schools, for example, students who with their peers seem to be more encouraged and determined to aim higher, ultimately leading them to study more diligently and achieve better academic results.Similarly, healthy rivalry amongst employees in a workplace can push them improve their performance, acquire new skills and take greater responsibility for their work.. At a broader level, competition between businesses can also stimulate innovation, as companies constantly strive to develop better products and provide higher-quality services than their competitors. Therefore, when it remains healthy and constructive, competition can encourage people to reach their full potential.

On the other hand, excessive competition can have several negative consequences, making cooperation a more desirable approach in many situations. When individuals become excessively focused on outperforming others, they may experience unnecessary stress and become reluctant to share knowledge or assist their colleagues. Cooperation, by contrast, allows people with different abilities and perspectives to work towards a common objective. For instance, a complex project in a workplace can often be completed more effectively when employees combine their expertise rather than compete with one another. Furthermore, a cooperative environment can foster trust, stronger relationships and a greater sense of community.

In conclusion, competition can undoubtedly encourage people to work harder and perform better, but excessive rivalry can damage relationships and create unnecessary pressure. I believe that cooperation is more beneficial overall, provided that healthy competition is maintained as a source of motivation and self-improvement.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the benefits of competition and the advantages of cooperation. You maintain a clear position throughout, stating your preference for cooperation in the introduction and reinforcing it in the conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between healthy competition and excessive rivalry. To reach a higher band, ensure that your personal opinion is integrated more deeply into the body paragraphs rather than just the introduction and conclusion, as this would provide a more cohesive argument throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'On one hand,' 'Similarly,' and 'By contrast' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear. To improve further, you could vary the cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a somewhat formulaic structure, but overall, the logical flow is very strong and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'powerful source of impetus,' 'strive to develop,' and 'foster trust' are used effectively. There is an awareness of style and collocation, which allows for a natural tone. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a Band 8 or 9 response. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and conveys your meaning clearly without any errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('when it remains healthy...') and participial phrases. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is generally good. There are a few minor slips, such as the missing verb in 'students who with their peers' (likely meant 'compete with'), but these are rare and do not impede communication. Your grammar is consistent and supports the clarity of your argument well throughout the text.

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

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