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)

People have different opinions about whether competition is beneficial in work, education and daily life, or whether cooperation is more important. Although competition can encourage people to perform better, I believe that cooperation is more beneficial because it helps individuals develop communication skills and work effectively with others.

One major advantage of competition is that children can learn how to tackle problems efficiently in front of an audience. This is because competitions have multiple levels, each with its own level of complexity, which enables students to think quickly under pressure. As a result, students can sharpen their memory and problem-solving skills, allowing them to deal with challenging situations more effectively. Therefore, students who actively participate in competitions have better chances of succeeding in their future studies and careers. For example, students who participate in mathematics competitions have to solve complex questions within a limited period, which helps them develop the ability to think quickly under pressure.

On the other hand, one major advantage of cooperation is that students can improve their interpersonal communication skills. This is because learners work and practise with their peers to complete tasks such as assignments, presentations, and group discussions. As a result, students can improve their speaking and presentation skills, such as learning how to present an idea effectively in the classroom. Therefore, learners develop the ability to express and present their ideas at the local and national levels. For example, students who regularly give group presentations can learn to explain their ideas clearly to classmates from different linguistic backgrounds.

In conclusion, competition can motivate people to improve their performance and solve problems effectively. However, I believe that cooperation is more important because it develops communication skills and prepares people to work successfully with others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

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 relevant and supported with examples, such as mathematics competitions and group presentations. However, the development of the 'daily life' aspect mentioned in the prompt is somewhat limited, as the essay focuses almost exclusively on the academic context. To reach a higher band, the arguments could be more balanced by explicitly connecting the points to the broader contexts of work and daily life mentioned in the question, rather than focusing primarily on students.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and ideas progress logically. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'This is because', 'As a result', and 'On the other hand' are used effectively to link ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The flow of information is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a well-structured response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'tackle problems', 'interpersonal communication skills', and 'linguistic backgrounds'. There is some flexibility in word choice, and the meaning is conveyed clearly. While the vocabulary is accurate, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or idiomatic expression that would characterize a band 8 or 9. However, there are no significant errors in collocation or word choice that impede communication, and the range is adequate for the discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional-like structures and subordinate clauses ('Although competition can encourage...', 'This is because learners work...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the grammatical range is solid, it is not particularly adventurous. The structures are reliable and accurate, which is consistent with a band 7 performance. There are no frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader.

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

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