Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28
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)
International sporting events such as the Olympics and the Football World Cup are often seen as ways to bring countries together. However, some people believe that they create rivalry instead of friendship. Although these events can increase competition, I believe they generally help countries build better relationships.
On the one hand, sports events allow people from different countries to interact and understand each other’s cultures. Athletes compete together, while spectators from around the world gather to support their teams. This can reduce cultural differences and encourage mutual respect. For example, during the Olympics, athletes from different countries participate in the same ceremonies and events despite having different languages and traditions. Such events can also increase tourism and cultural exchange.
On the other hand, international competitions can create strong rivalry between nations. Every country wants its athletes or teams to perform well and win. As a result, fans may become highly emotional, especially during important matches. For instance, football supporters can sometimes argue with fans of rival teams because they strongly want their country to win. However, these disagreements are usually temporary, and they do not necessarily damage relationships between countries.
In conclusion, although international sports events can create competition and rivalry, I believe they are an effective way to bring people closer together. They promote cultural understanding, increase tourism and provide opportunities for countries to interact. Therefore, their overall impact can extend beyond the sporting competition itself.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The response discusses both views regarding international sports events bringing countries together versus creating rivalry, and provides a clear personal position. Ideas are well-supported, such as mentioning cultural exchange, tourism, and fan behavior. However, the student's response contains 237 words, which fails to meet the minimum requirement of 250 words. This under-length issue prevents the ideas from being fully developed and leads to a penalty under Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to the first view, the second view, and a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and without noticeable mechanical flaws, as seen with phrases like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is also used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the overall progression of the argument is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The student demonstrates an adequate and clear range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms such as 'mutual respect', 'cultural exchange', and 'temporary'. There are also attempts at less common vocabulary items like 'rivalry' and 'spectators'. While the vocabulary is generally well-handled, it lacks the broader flexibility and sophistication required for higher bands, remaining somewhat standard rather than precise or advanced throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0
The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as concessive clauses using 'Although' and participial phrases like 'despite having different languages and traditions'. Grammatical control is generally strong with frequent error-free sentences, and minor punctuation or structural slips are absent. The sentences flow naturally and meaning is never obscured by errors, showing solid command over sentence patterns.
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