Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-16
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 5.0)
In today's rapidly evolving world, the issue of competitionat work has sparked considerable debate, with opinions divided on whether it is beneficial or harmful. While both sides of the argument hold merit, I am strongly inclined to disagree with the view that people should try to cooperate rather than competing. This essay will present compelling reasons and real-world examples in support of my perspective.
To begin with, one primary argument to support this view is that the main reason is time. This is particularly true in time insert context/scenario], where they didnt to get time for activities. For instance, [insert real-world example] clearly illustrates how [insert how the example connects]. The tangible benefits of this approach significantly outweigh any potential drawbacks, reinforcing the case for [paraphrase your opinion] as a logical solution.
Equally important is the fact that [insert
second main reason], which further reinforces my belief. This becomes even more relevant when considering [insert explanation or mini-example], where the practical advantages are evident. Over time, such outcomes contribute to long-term stability, progress, or individual well-being. As such, this perspective not only aligns with practical needs but also reflects sound judgment in addressing modern challenges.
In conclusion, although it is understandable that some may take a different view, I firmly believe that they fight our own his goals . The reasons discussed above supported by both logic and evidence make this position both reasonable and well-substantiated. With clear advantages and measurable impact, this opinion stands as the more convincing and constructive one.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The student attempts to address the prompt by taking a clear position disagreeing with cooperation over competition, mentioning relevant concepts in the introduction. However, the response contains significant template-like placeholders, such as [insert context/scenario], [insert real-world example], and [insert second main reason], which left major parts of the body paragraphs undeveloped and incomplete. While the introduction and conclusion attempt to fulfill the task requirements, the core body paragraphs fail to fully present and support well-developed ideas due to these missing details. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a Band 4.5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into four distinct paragraphs, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion, which provides a basic structural framework. However, overall progression is severely disrupted by the heavy reliance on placeholder brackets and incomplete sentences. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Equally important', and 'In conclusion' are used to signal logical transition, but because the content within the paragraphs is fragmentary, the logical flow breaks down. Referencing is unclear due to missing information, leading to an overall arrangement that lacks cohesive clarity, matching the descriptors for Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates a limited but minimally adequate range of vocabulary in the sections they actually wrote, utilizing phrases such as 'rapidly evolving world', 'considerable debate', and 'long-term stability'. However, the vocabulary is restricted by the heavy use of instructional placeholders. There are noticeable lexical choices, such as 'fight our own his goals' in the conclusion, which display awkward collocation and grammatical confusion. While some functional academic vocabulary is present, the frequent gaps and awkward phrasing limit the score to a Band 5.0, as errors and incompleteness cause some difficulty for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrated in introductory sentences such as 'While both sides of the argument hold merit, I am strongly inclined to disagree...'. However, grammatical control declines significantly in the conclusion with the erroneous phrase 'they fight our own his goals', which reflects severe structural breakdown and pronoun confusion. Furthermore, the extensive use of incomplete placeholder sentences prevents a full demonstration of a wide grammatical range. Frequent errors in the produced portions lead to a band score of 5.0, where attempts at complex sentences often result in faulty structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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