Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-09-29

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 6.5)

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 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—competition and cooperation—and providing a clear, well-supported personal opinion throughout the essay. In the second paragraph, the writer explains how competition drives individual achievement, citing educational and workplace examples such as 'students who strive to be at the top of their class' and 'employees competing for promotions.' The third paragraph equally develops the benefits of cooperation, discussing group projects and the danger of toxic workplace cultures. The position is consistently maintained and supported by relevant, well-developed ideas, fully meeting the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a balanced introduction, moving to competition, then cooperation, and concluding effectively. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately to connect ideas, such as 'Similarly,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion.' Paragraphing is managed sufficiently, and referencing is clear throughout, making the overall arrangement coherent and easy to follow. This aligns well with the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for flexibility and precision, such as 'fundamental aspects,' 'individual achievements,' 'incentivize,' and 'collective achievement.' The writer also attempts less common items and demonstrates an awareness of collocation, using phrases like 'cutthroat atmosphere' and 'long-term success.' While there are occasional minor word choices, vocabulary use is more than adequate for the task and does not impede communication. This performance fits comfortably within the Band 7.0 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used accurately, such as 'Competition and cooperation are two fundamental aspects... while some people support...' and 'Teams that work well together can produce better outcomes, as opposed to environments where competition creates pressure and burnout.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and there is a good control of grammar and punctuation throughout. Minor errors are virtually non-existent, reflecting a high level of grammatical control that bridges Band 7 and Band 8.

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