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)

In the contemporary world, it is widely believed by some people that sports events like the Olympics or the World Cup are the best ways to unite nations, while others argue that these develop competition rather than building relationships between countries. From my perspective, these occasions may bring people from those regions together and assist them in improving their relations economically.

Analyzing the statement and explaining further, whenever these events are conducted, each country will get an opportunity to host them. In this way, when the respective team members and their fans travel to that country to support them, they will eventually explore that place and build relationships with the citizens of that country. Moreover, many members will get a chance to know the cultures of that region that will facilitate them getting closer to each other. Similarly, when the citizens pay attention to building their relationships, the administrations of those nations will also look to build the bond between them in terms of trade, technology and economic support. Although they might be enemies, they will try to work on things that will have a favourable outcome on their economies. .

Looking ahead, such competition is also a crucial factor to consider when performing in those events. There may also be a lot of rivalries between them, which, at a certain point, will not assist them in having good relations. Nevertheless, some countries keep these things aside and save their relationship by not including the event's results in their bucket list. In terms of fans, they might not be interested in choosing relationships when it comes to winning the World Cup for their respective nations. Hence, it creates a lot of competition, and they will work hard rather than strengthening their bonds.

To recapitulate, we can clearly state that occasions such as the Olympics and the football World Cup will not only bring people closer but also help the regions to enhance their overall economic activities and make their economy stronger. Ultimately, everyone involved in these are winners, because it will be advantageous for them throughout the league.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on international sports events (uniting nations versus creating competition) and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are extended and supported, such as explaining how hosting events allows teams and fans to explore host nations, understand cultures, and eventually stimulate economic cooperation like trade and technology. However, some arguments tend to over-generalize, particularly the claim that administrations will look to build bonds in trade and economy simply due to sports fans visiting. While the position is clear throughout, the development of the opposing view regarding competition is somewhat brief and relies on vague phrasing like 'save their relationship by not including the event's results in their bucket list.' Overall, the task is well addressed, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear overall progression and logical organization. Each paragraph has a discernible focus, starting with an introduction and personal stance, moving to the view on unity and economic benefits, transitioning to the counter-perspective of competition, and concluding with a summary. Cohesive devices are used throughout, such as 'Moreover', 'Similarly', 'Although', and 'Hence', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive in function. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and referencing is generally clear, though occasional pronouns like 'them' create brief ambiguities in tracking referents. Overall, the essay flows adequately, meeting the requirements for Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully attempting less common items and phrasings such as 'contemporary world', 'favourable outcome', and 'economic activities'. There is an awareness of collocations, although some word choices and phrasing are slightly unnatural or awkward, such as 'save their relationship by not including the event's results in their bucket list' and 'choosing relationships when it comes to winning'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, allowing the essay to comfortably secure a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at subordination and relative clauses, such as in 'whenever these events are conducted, each country will get an opportunity to host them.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures present, such as missing articles ('know the cultures of that region that will facilitate them getting closer') and awkward verb forms or preposition usage ('everyone involved in these are winners'). However, these errors do not impede overall communication and the reader can easily follow the intended meaning. The control of grammar aligns well with the Band 6 descriptor.

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