Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-01

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)

People have different views about whether competition or cooperation is more beneficial in the workplace, education and everyday life. While competition can motivate individuals to improve their performance, I believe that cooperation is generally more beneficial, particularly in education and social relationships.

On the one hand, competition can encourage people to develop their abilities and achieve better results. In the workplace, for example, employees may become more productive when they compete with their colleagues for promotions or recognition. Similarly, healthy competition among students can motivate them to work harder and demonstrate their potential. In these circumstances, competition can help individuals develop useful skills such as time management, creativity and perseverance.

On the other hand, excessive competition can have negative effects on relationships and social development. If children are encouraged to compete excessively with their classmates from an early age, they may become less willing to share ideas or support others. Similarly, intense competition in the workplace can create a stressful and toxic environment in which employees are reluctant to cooperate. By contrast, cooperation allows people to exchange ideas, solve problems together and develop stronger relationships.

In conclusion, competition can be beneficial when it encourages individuals to improve themselves and achieve their goals. However, I believe that cooperation should be given greater importance, especially in schools and social life, because it promotes teamwork, healthy relationships and a more supportive environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the response is 229 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length significantly impacts the development of ideas, as the arguments, while relevant, remain somewhat superficial and lack the depth required for a higher band. To improve, you should expand on your examples; for instance, when discussing the 'toxic environment' in the workplace, you could provide a specific scenario or a more detailed consequence to fully flesh out your point. The position is clear throughout, but the lack of sufficient word count prevents a more comprehensive exploration of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, and there is a clear progression throughout the text. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', and 'By contrast', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two opposing views. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is easy to follow. To reach a higher band, ensure that your transitions between sentences are even more varied and sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'excessive competition', 'toxic environment', and 'demonstrate their potential' are used accurately. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning with precision. However, the range is somewhat limited; to achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more 'less common' lexical items or idiomatic collocations. For example, instead of 'good thing', you could use 'advantageous' or 'conducive to success'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no word-choice errors that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use subordinate clauses effectively, such as in the sentence 'If children are encouraged to compete excessively with their classmates from an early age, they may become less willing to share ideas'. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your writing. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice constructions or conditional forms, to demonstrate greater grammatical flexibility. Overall, your control of grammar is strong and does not hinder the reader's understanding.

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