Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 19 · 2026-10-29

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 5.5)

In the contemporary society, the issue of tournaments at the various places are becoming increasingly prevalent, sparking a considerable debate. Few people argue that championships at educational institutes, at work places and even in daily routine is a good habit. While others contend that, we should not compete each other and try to work in team. I partially agree that contest has significant role in everyone life which help them to grow, learn new skills, boost stamina and confidence but it also have some drawbacks.

On the one hand, it is inevitable that taking parts in matches help to students learn about basic skills like teamwork and decipline. Further, by this they can learn how to face real life challenges because competitions break the comfort zone of pupils. Moreover, their belief on themselves strong and they perform their important task independently which assist to good performance on workplaces also. For instance, in European schools, they focus on practical skills more by activities because it gives chance to take part all students. So, every learner can test their abilities.

On the other hand, working together reduces stress, anxiety and burnout. Teamwork combines different skills which is neccessary to solve complex problems effectively. Working with the group members enhance our communication skills, empathy and build long-term realtionships. For example, one cannot show the particular productivity to solve a challenging task and it consumes more time, while working in a group build their ideas and they can find a sustainable solution.

To conclude, the issue of events or cooperation at different places is profoundly paradoxical. A balanced approach is required.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both competition and cooperation, and your position is partly clear in the introduction: competition can help people grow, but it also has drawbacks. The first body paragraph gives relevant benefits, such as learning teamwork and facing challenges, while the second explains how cooperation can reduce stress and combine skills. However, the task asks you to discuss the two views and give your own opinion, and the conclusion only calls for “a balanced approach” without explaining when or why you favour each approach. Several points are also asserted rather than developed; for example, the European-schools example does not clearly show how competition produces the stated benefits. Make your position explicit and support each main point with a more specific explanation or example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “To conclude” helps readers follow the discussion, and ideas within each body paragraph generally relate to its main point. This meets the expected level of coherent organisation. To make progression more assured, connect claims more explicitly: the shift from competitions teaching teamwork to independent workplace performance is not fully explained, and the example about European schools is loosely linked to the preceding point. The final sentence is also too brief to bring the two arguments together. Use clearer references and transitions between each claim, explanation, and example rather than relying mainly on paragraph-opening signals.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “comfort zone,” “complex problems,” “empathy,” and “sustainable solution,” which helps communicate the main ideas. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, and these are noticeable across the response: “tournaments” and “championships” do not accurately represent competition in everyday life, while “belief on themselves strong” and “show the particular productivity” are difficult to interpret. Spelling errors such as “decipline,” “neccessary,” and “realtionships” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural combinations rather than substituting near-synonyms. For instance, use “competition” consistently for the central topic and check collocations in phrases about confidence, performance, and group work.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a contrast structure beginning “While others contend…” and a sentence explaining that teamwork combines different skills. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction occur frequently enough to make some ideas harder to follow. Examples include “the issue … are becoming,” “competitions … is a good habit,” “taking parts … help,” and “it also have some drawbacks.” The opening “While others contend…” is also a fragment because it is not joined to a complete main clause. Practise checking subject–verb agreement and singular/plural forms, and make sure each sentence has a complete independent clause. More accurate control of these patterns would make your ideas clearer.

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