Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-04

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)

It is often argued that competition at work, at school and in daily life is good thing while some believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other. While i acknowlege competition I contend cooperation to a certain extend.

One agrument in favor of competition at work or school is good because when we compete with our friends and collegeas we always try to do our best. We are motivated and optimist while competing. If I am beginner in coding and I participate in coding events, I will dedicately practice coding everyday with enthusisam to win the event.

An alternative perspective is about cooperation rather than competition. If i am enrolled in coding event in a team I should cooperate with my co-members. Cooperation and competing should be balanced in a task to exhibit a profound impact.

When our priority is to win the task we will automatically cooperate and compete simultaneously with co-contestants. So, I have nuance opinion on both views as they play a pivotal role. In conclusion, while both points have valid points we will consider both views.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response sits at this band because it addresses the task only partially. It must be noted that the student's response contains 161 words, which means the length requirement is NOT met—the response is 89 words short of the 250-word minimum, with 25 words copied directly from the task prompt excluded. Regarding content, the writer attempts to discuss both views regarding competition and cooperation, and briefly offers a personal opinion ('I contend cooperation to a certain extend'), but the ideas are severely limited and under-developed. For example, the argument that we compete with 'collegeas' or participate in coding events lacks extension and detailed support. The position is not always clear throughout, and the conclusion merely restates that both points have valid points without adding real depth. To reach higher bands, the writer must write at least 250 words and fully develop all parts of the prompt with robust explanations and specific examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

This criterion sits at the designated band because there is some basic organisation, but no clear overall progression of ideas. The essay is divided into short paragraphs, which is an attempt at structuring an essay, but the logical flow is disrupted by abrupt transitions and underdeveloped sentences. Cohesive devices are minimal, inadequate, or repetitive, such as the overuse of the repetitive phrase 'If I am' or simplistic linking words like 'So' and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in the sudden shift between the coding example and the broad summary statement. Paragraphing is also erratic, with very short paragraphs that prevent the ideas from linking smoothly together. To progress to a higher band, the writer needs to ensure logical sequencing across all paragraphs and use a wider variety of cohesive devices naturally without mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The lexical resource is placed at this level because the vocabulary range is limited and minimally adequate to express basic thoughts. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'enthusisam', 'profound impact', and 'pivotal role', but these attempts are accompanied by noticeable spelling and word choice errors that reveal a lack of control. There are several vocabulary and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'collegeas' instead of colleagues, 'optimist' instead of optimistic, 'dedicately' instead of dedicatedly, and 'nuance' instead of nuanced. These errors do not completely block communication, but they cause some difficulty for the reader and prevent the lexical range from being considered adequate for higher bands. To improve, the writer needs to expand their range of vocabulary, pay closer attention to word forms and collocations, and eliminate spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The grammatical range and accuracy sit at this band because the writer uses a very limited range of structures and makes frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader. While there is a mix of simple sentences and occasional attempts at complex structures (such as 'If I am beginner in coding and I participate in coding events, I will dedicately practice...'), these complex sentences are often faulty. There are frequent errors in verb forms, articles, and prepositions inside grammatical patterns, such as missing articles ('If I am beginner', 'in team'), incorrect pronouns and capitalization ('i acknowlege'), and punctuation errors. To achieve a higher band, the writer must demonstrate greater control over complex sentence forms, ensure subject-verb agreement, supply missing articles, and produce a higher proportion of error-free sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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