Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that international sports events, such as The Olympics or the Football World Cup, are a good way to bring countries together. Others say that these events create competition, not friendship, between countries.

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)

There is an ongoing debate regarding international sports events like Olymics or the Football World Cup, which are considered by many people as a way to develop good relations among different countries. While others argue that these events create competition between countries, not friendship. This essay will discuss both these views before explaining my own opinion.

On the one hand, international sports events are a great way to bring people together on one platform. These competitions have been a part of the sports world since a long time now and every year people wait for these tournaments with great excitement and an immense sense of national pride. For example, cricket enthusiasts purchase tickets for international matches in advance and many others travel long distances for events like the Football World Cup or The Olympics. These athletic activities encourage people to stay motivated and connected while getting a chance to explore diversity in cultures and values. Moreover, countries who host these events every year get an opportunity to transform their economy, infrastructure and global reputation. For example, Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022 which boosted their economy, tourism was promoted and they received global visibility.

On the other hand, many people argue that competitions can develop a rift between countries which can cause jealousy and affect their long-term relationships. For example, a Cricket match between India and Pakistan is always like a matter of life and death for people of both countries and is taken very seriously. Such examples reflect the outcomes of these international sports which can have a negative impact on foreign relations.

However, in my opinion, these events are a source of bringing different regions on one platform irrespective of their geographical differences. There are many spectators and sport lovers who only consider these international activities as healthy competitive tournaments.

In conclusion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages as it influence the economy, boosts tourism and global recognition.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear opinion. The ideas are relevant, such as the economic benefits of hosting events and the potential for nationalistic tension. However, the development of the 'competition' argument is somewhat brief compared to the 'unity' argument. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and does not fully synthesize the arguments presented, focusing primarily on the economic benefits rather than the social impact discussed in the body paragraphs. To reach a higher band, ensure that the opinion is more thoroughly integrated throughout the essay and that the conclusion reflects the complexity of the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link ideas. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing in the final paragraph could be smoother. The flow between the second and third paragraphs is logical, but the connection between the final opinion and the conclusion could be more cohesive to ensure a stronger sense of unity in the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express ideas clearly. There is an attempt to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'national pride', 'global visibility', and 'geographical differences'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'bringing different regions on one platform' (better: 'bringing people from different regions together'). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding the range of synonyms and idiomatic expressions would improve the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'countries who host' (should be 'countries that host') and 'it influence the economy' (should be 'it influences the economy'). Punctuation is generally correct, but there are occasional slips in subject-verb agreement. While the errors do not impede communication, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, the writer should focus on ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement and incorporating a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, with greater accuracy.

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

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