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 Olympic Games and the Football World Cup attract people from different countries and cultures. Some people believe that these events help to develop friendship between nations, while others argue that they increase competition. In my opinion, although international sports involve strong competition, they can play an important role in bringing countries closer together.

On the one hand, international sporting events can create a sense of unity between countries. Athletes from different nations live and compete together, which gives them opportunities to understand different cultures and build friendships. In addition, supporters from around the world often travel to the same country to watch these events. They can communicate with people from different backgrounds and share their interest in sport. For example, during the Olympic Games, athletes from many countries participate in the opening and closing ceremonies together, which creates a strong feeling of international cooperation.

On the other hand, international sports are based on competition, and this can sometimes create tension between countries. National teams usually want to win, so supporters may become overly emotional when their team loses. In some cases, strong rivalry between teams can lead to arguments between fans. Furthermore, countries may spend large amounts of money to become successful in international competitions, which can increase pressure on athletes and teams. For instance, football matches between traditional rival countries can sometimes create intense rivalry among supporters.

In my view, competition is an essential part of sport, but it does not necessarily prevent countries from developing friendly relationships. In fact, sporting events provide a peaceful environment in which nations can compete according to common rules while also interacting with one another. Therefore, I believe that the overall effect of major international sporting events can be positive for international friendship.

In conclusion, international sports events can create both competition and opportunities for cooperation. However, I believe that their ability to bring people from different countries together makes them an important way of promoting international understanding.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task thoroughly. You successfully discussed both views regarding international sports events—acknowledging their potential to foster international friendship and unity, as well as their capacity to generate tension and fierce competition. Furthermore, a clear position was established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay, culminating in a well-supported conclusion. Your ideas were extended appropriately with relevant examples, such as athletes participating together in opening and closing ceremonies and the intense rivalry seen in football matches. The development meets the criteria for Band 7, as all requirements of the prompt are fully covered with a clear stance and extended supporting points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays clear logical organisation and a natural progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a well-formulated introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs addressing both sides of the argument, your personal viewpoint, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, as seen in transition phrases like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my view'. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, ensuring that the structure supports the flow of ideas without feeling mechanical. This performance comfortably aligns with the Band 7 descriptors for coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary that allows for some flexibility and precision in discussing international events. Phrases such as 'sense of unity', 'international cooperation', 'intense rivalry', and 'peaceful environment' show a good awareness of collocations and topic-specific terminology. While the language is generally natural and communicates your ideas clearly, it relies primarily on standard vocabulary rather than truly sophisticated or uncommon lexical items, which keeps it just below the Band 8 threshold. Minor word choices are accurate, and spelling is correct throughout, supporting a solid Band 7 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'In my opinion, although international sports involve strong competition, they can play an important role...'). There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and your control of grammar and punctuation is generally strong. Although complex structures are attempted and managed well, there are occasional minor limitations in structural variety that prevent this from reaching the higher band levels. However, communication is never impeded, and the control demonstrated meets the standard for a secure Band 7.

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