Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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 recent years, international sporting events have become major occasions that attract people from all around the world. While some people believe these competitions promote international unity, others argue they encourage rivalry between nations. Although these activities create intense competition, I believe they generally help bring countries closer together.

On the one hand, international competitions can bring nations closer by encouraging cultural exchange and shared experiences. Many players and spectators from different backgrounds come together in one place, giving them opportunities to interact and learn about cultures. For example, during the Olympic Games, visitors and participants from numerous countries stay in the host city and experience its traditions, cuisine, and lifestyle. Thus, interactions can reduce cultural misunderstandings and encourage mutual respect among individuals from different nations.

On the other hand, international gaming competitions sometimes create rivalry rather than friendship. Since players represent their nations, supporters may develop great national pride and become highly invested in the outcome. This can lead to tension between fans, particularly when competing teams have a history of enmity. For instance, a closely contested India–Pakistan Cricket World Cup match may lead to heated arguments among supporters, particularly when one side loses or believes that the opposing team has received favourable treatment. Consequently, although sporting events are intended to promote healthy competition, they can occasionally intensify national divisions.

In conclusion, international events create both cooperation and enmity between countries. Although intense competitions sometimes increase nationalistic feelings and tension between supporters, from my perspective, these generally have a positive role in bringing countries closer together.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—international sporting events as a catalyst for unity versus a source of rivalry—and clearly stating the writer's own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. For instance, the second paragraph explains how cultural exchange and shared experiences foster mutual respect, while the third paragraph presents a compelling counterargument regarding national pride and fan tension, exemplified by India-Pakistan cricket matches. The position is well-developed, clear throughout, and supported with relevant examples, meeting all the requirements for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from a well-framed introduction to balanced body paragraphs and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'For instance', and 'Consequently', which help guide the reader through the contrasting viewpoints. Paragraphing is managed logically and appropriately, satisfying the criteria for a solid band score in this area.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision, using appropriate collocation and topic-specific terms like 'cultural exchange', 'shared experiences', 'national pride', and 'national divisions'. Less common items are attempted with some awareness of style, such as 'intense competition' and 'favourable treatment'. There are occasional slight awkwardness in phrasing, such as 'international gaming competitions' when discussing physical sports, but overall, the lexical resource is adequate to convey precise meaning comfortably.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over grammatical structures. Complex sentences, such as 'Although these activities create intense competition, I believe they generally help bring countries closer together,' are constructed accurately. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are well-managed, and the majority of sentences are error-free. While minor slips may occur, grammar and punctuation errors do not impede communication, placing the response firmly at Band 7.0.

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