Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-21

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 7.0)

International sporting events such as the Olympics and the Football World Cup attract people from many countries. Some people believe that these events help nations become closer, while others argue that they mainly create competition. I believe that although competition is an important part of sport, these events can also promote friendship and understanding between countries.

On the one hand, international sports competitions can create strong competition between nations. Athletes and supporters naturally want their countries to perform well, and this can sometimes lead to arguments between fans, especially when matches are very close or important. In addition, countries may become focused on winning medals or trophies rather than building relationships with other nations. For example, football supporters may strongly support their national team and become disappointed or angry when their country loses to a major rival.

On the other hand, international sporting events can bring people together in several ways. Athletes from different countries live and compete in the same environment, which gives them opportunities to communicate and learn about other cultures. Fans also travel abroad to watch competitions, and they often meet people from different backgrounds who share the same interest in sport. For instance, during the Olympic Games, athletes from many countries stay in the same Olympic Village and interact with one another outside their competitions.

In my opinion, international sports events can create competition during the games, but this does not necessarily prevent friendship between countries. The competition is usually limited to the sporting field, while the event itself can encourage cultural exchange, respect and communication. Therefore, I believe these events can play a useful role in bringing people from different countries closer together.

In conclusion, international sports events can cause rivalry because countries want to win, but they also provide opportunities for people to meet, share cultures and develop friendships. Their overall effect can therefore include both competition and greater international understanding

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task well, discussing both views regarding international sports events creating competition or bringing countries together. The student presents a clear position throughout the essay, introducing it in the introduction and reinforcing it in the body and conclusion. Ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as athletes interacting in the Olympic Village and football supporters rallying behind their national teams. The development is logical and covers the prompt thoroughly, fitting comfortably within the Band 7 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, with standard and effective cohesive devices used to guide the reader, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different perspectives and the writer's personal stance. Cohesion is generally well managed, though some of the linking phrases are standard rather than highly flexible, keeping the performance firmly at a Band 7 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, such as 'international sporting events', 'cultural exchange', and 'rivalry'. There are attempts to use less common items with general awareness of style and collocation, like 'bring people together' and 'international understanding'. Word choice is generally appropriate, and spelling is accurate throughout. While the lexical range is adequate for a solid performance, it lacks the more sophisticated or uncommon lexical features required for higher bands, making Band 7 an accurate descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions such as 'although', 'while', and 'especially when'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and grammar and punctuation are handled with good control. Minor errors are virtually absent, and meaning is communicated clearly and smoothly at all times. The majority of sentences are accurate, reflecting the characteristics of a Band 7 writing sample.

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