Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-27

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 7.5)

Competition and cooperation are two fundamental aspects of human interaction, and while some people support competing in all aspects of life, others prefer to work together. In my opinion, while competition can drive individual achievements, cooperation is more beneficial for growth.

Those who advocate for competition assert that it is a powerful motivator that pushes individuals to excel. In educational settings, it can encourage students to achieve higher academic standards. Students who strive to be at the top of their class, for instance, may put in more effort and perform better on exams. Similarly, at work, competition can lead to increased productivity and innovation. Employees competing for promotions or bonuses are likely to be driven to develop creative solutions to problems.

On the other hand, environments which incentivize working together are more supportive. At school, cooperative learning methods, such as group projects, can help students develop essential social skills, including communication, empathy, and teamwork. These skills are crucial for both academic success and personal development. In the workplace, a cooperative culture can enhance collaboration and lead to more innovative and efficient problem-solving. Teams that work well together can produce better outcomes, as opposed to environments where competition creates pressure and burnout. A cutthroat atmosphere from excessive struggles and rivalries can result in a toxic culture where employees prioritize personal gain over collective achievement, ultimately harming the organization's overall performance.

In conclusion, while competition can drive individual achievement and innovation, I believe that working together is more conducive to long-term success and well-being. Encouraging cooperative behaviors, therefore, can lead to more harmonious and productive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on competition and cooperation and clearly presenting the writer's own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as educational settings and workplaces. For instance, the discussion on how competition can lead to increased productivity and innovation is well articulated, as is the analysis of cooperative learning methods helping students develop essential social skills. The position is maintained clearly throughout, and the main arguments are well extended, meeting all requirements for a Band 8 level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically sequenced with a clear overall progression from introduction to body paragraphs and conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, such as the advantages of competition in the second paragraph and the benefits of cooperation in the third. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, for example, 'Similarly, at work' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring that the essay is easy to follow and navigate. Referencing is clear throughout, contributing to a seamless reading experience that aligns well with the descriptors for a Band 8.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. The writer successfully uses less common and precise lexical items such as 'fundamental aspects', 'incentivize', 'cutthroat atmosphere', and 'conducive to long-term success'. Word choice and collocation are generally very natural, with only occasional minor lapses. The spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay, supporting clear communication and justifying a solid Band 7.5 or Band 8 score, placed here at 7.5 due to slight room for even more sophisticated idiomatic control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writer employs a wide range of complex grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'Students who strive to be at the top of their class, for instance, may put in more effort and perform better on exams' demonstrate good control over subordination and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While minor improvements could be made to push toward absolute native-like perfection, the grammatical control shown here easily satisfies the criteria for Band 8.

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