Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-07

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 current phase of life, it has been observed that competitions play a vital role in every human's life because it provide sense of direction and enhances confidence. With this, some individuals believe that competitive mindset is beneficial for people who leading a cooperate life, at educational institue and in everyday life. However, others think that greater emphasise should be placed on cooperation rather than competing with one another. With due consideration, both the views will be discussed and a reasoned conclusion is drawn.

On the one hand, it is believed that individuals in competition with others accomplish greater achievements in life because they have clear career path. Furthermore, an individual with competitive mindset is a determine and hardworking which help them to lead a better future. For instance, my sister often maintained a mindset of getting higher score than her best friend. Therefore, at present competitions are essential and indispensable for individuals because they help to built concrete goals and lead a better life.

In contrast,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response recognises the topic and gives a relevant reason for competition: it may encourage people to set goals and work hard. The example about your sister also supports this view. However, the task asks you to discuss both competition and cooperation and give your own opinion. The response develops only the competitive side; the second view is introduced with “In contrast,” but no discussion follows, and your own position is not clearly stated. The conclusion promised in the introduction is also absent. In addition, the response is 83 words below the required minimum, which leaves too little space to address the task fully. Develop the benefits and possible drawbacks of cooperation, state your view directly, and support both sides with relevant examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting competition, and a transition towards the opposing view. Linking expressions such as “On the one hand,” “Furthermore,” and “In contrast” help signal the intended organisation. However, the progression is incomplete because the response stops immediately after “In contrast,” so the opposing argument and conclusion are missing. Within the competition paragraph, the ideas about achievement, career direction, and a better future are related, but their connections are not always made clear. The introduction also announces a “reasoned conclusion” that the essay does not provide. Complete each paragraph, use clear topic sentences, and ensure the essay moves through both views to a final opinion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response shows some range beyond basic vocabulary, including “vital role,” “competitive mindset,” “accomplish greater achievements,” and “indispensable.” These choices make the topic clear, and the reader can generally understand the intended meaning. However, several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “leading a cooperate life,” “a determine,” and “help to built concrete goals.” Spelling and word-form errors also appear in “institue” and “emphasise” (in this context, the intended noun is likely “emphasis”). Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than using formal-sounding phrases that do not fit. For example, “set clear goals” is more idiomatic than “built concrete goals.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a reason clause in “because they have clear career path” and a contrast introduced by “However.” Most of the meaning remains understandable, but errors in agreement, articles, and verb forms are noticeable. For example, “competitions … it provide” has a plural subject with a singular verb, while “an individual … is a determine and hardworking” has an incorrect construction. “Which help them” also does not agree clearly with its antecedent, and “help to built” uses the wrong verb form after “to.” Review subject–verb agreement, article use, and infinitive patterns, then proofread each sentence. More accurate control of these forms would make the ideas easier to follow.

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