Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-12

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)

In today's society, the debate between competition and cooperation is highly relevant. Some argue that competition at work, school, and in daily life is beneficial, while others believe that cooperation should be prioritized. Both perspectives have their merits, but I do believe that cooperation offers more sustainable and holistic advantages.

On one hand, competition has several benefits. To begin with, competition can serve as a powerful motivator, pushing individuals to strive for excellence. When people compete, they often set higher goals for themselves and work harder to achieve them. This drive can lead to improved performance, innovation, and personal growth. For instance, students may study harder to outperform their peers, and employees might go the extra mile to secure a promotion or bonus. Secondly, in a competitive environment, individuals and organizations are encouraged to innovate and improve continuously. This drive for innovation can lead to the development of new products, services, and technologies that benefit society as a whole. For example, competition in the tech industry has led to rapid advancements in smartphones, computing, and artificial intelligence.

On the other hand, I am of the opinion that working together has many advantages. First and foremost, cooperation emphasizes teamwork and collective effort, leading to a synergy where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. When people collaborate, they can pool their diverse skills and knowledge, leading to more creative and effective solutions. This is particularly important in complex problem-solving scenarios where multiple perspectives are needed. Consider the Human Genome Project, an international research effort launched in 1990 that aimed to map all the genes in human DNA, requiring the collaboration of thousands of scientists from various disciplines who, by pooling their expertise and sharing information, overcame significant technical challenges to sequence the entire human genome by 2003. Additionally, a cooperative environment can reduce stress and promote well-being. While constant competition can result in anxiety, burnout, and unhealthy rivalry, cooperation promotes a supportive environment where individuals collaborate without fear of being undermined, thereby creating a healthier and more sustainable work or learning setting.

In conclusion, while competition can drive innovation and personal growth, cooperation offers a more balanced and sustainable approach that enhances collective problem-solving and individual well-being.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both the benefits of competition and the advantages of cooperation, while clearly stating their own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the tech industry for competition and the Human Genome Project for cooperation. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The response meets all the requirements of Task Achievement at a high level, fitting well within the Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information and ideas are logically sequenced, with each paragraph having a clear central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Secondly', 'On the other hand', and 'Additionally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion distinctly. Referencing is clear and unambiguous. Overall, the coherence and cohesion of the response easily satisfy the requirements for a Band 7 or 8.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and generally wide range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Items such as 'sustainable', 'holistic advantages', 'synergy', and 'collective effort' demonstrate a good awareness of collocation and style. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses in phrasing, but word choice is generally precise and facilitates clear communication. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the text. The lexical resource displayed is consistent with a strong Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student uses a wide variety of complex structures effectively, including conditional and participial clauses (e.g., 'When people compete, they often set higher goals...', 'requiring the collaboration of thousands of scientists...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control of grammar and punctuation is strong. While there is one very long sentence in the third body paragraph that slightly stretches syntax, it remains grammatically intact and fully comprehensible. Grammatical range and accuracy align closely with a Band 8 descriptor.

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