Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-07

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 5.5)

It is indisputable that sports events are becoming significantly popular worldwide.Considering this, some advocates think that international sports events like The Olympics or the Football World Cup, are a good way to bring nations together. However, others believe that such events foster tough competition rather than strong bonding between countries. This essay will not only discuss both the views but my perspective will also be presented further.

People, who support the former view, give numerous reasons. To begin with, international sports events play a paramount role by incorporating players of different talent to participate in such games and representing teams will render dignity of that nation. As a result, such games bring countries together which will foster strong bonding with each other. For instance, according to many recent surveys conducted in renowned newspapers in Canada, FIFA world cup has drastically augmented the population of viewers to cheer for their country this year. This shows that such events are a good way to unite countries. Secondly, international sports events also promotes good tourism and creates opprtunities to represent individuals and also get to know about the traditions and cultural practices of the host country in which the sports is going to be organised. Thus, such practices can be beneficial for the nations.

On the other hand, those who favour the latter view give reasons as follows. To commence with, some people think that it develops competition, not friendship, between countries. To elaborate, international sports events allows to represent their country and strive hard to win the game which means that every countries participating in the games will flight till end to win the cup.

To recapitulate, I firmly believe that it is a balance approach which is practical and sustainable way to bring countries together and also creates a sense of competition

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and give a personal position in the conclusion, so the response is relevant to the task. The first view is supported with points about shared national support, tourism and cultural exchange. However, the opposing view is only briefly explained: the claim that countries “will fight till end to win the cup” needs development, such as explaining how rivalry can lead to hostility or national tension. Your own opinion is also unclear until the final sentence, where “a balance approach” is mentioned without explaining how the benefits and competition can coexist. The newspaper-survey example is vague and not clearly connected to countries coming together. Develop both sides more evenly and state your position clearly from the introduction onward.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the main stages. However, progression is uneven because the paragraph supporting competition is much shorter and less developed than the paragraph supporting unity. Some linking language also feels mechanical, particularly “To commence with” and “To elaborate,” while the conclusion introduces a “balance” position without preparing it through the body paragraphs. The opening sentence and the next sentence also run together without a space after the full stop. Build a more balanced paragraph structure and use clearer links that show how each example supports the point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “foster,” “paramount role,” “traditions and cultural practices,” and “sustainable.” These choices show an effort to move beyond basic wording. However, several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “incorporating players of different talent,” “strong bonding,” and “promotes good tourism.” There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “opprtunities” and “flight” where “fight” is intended. These slips sometimes make the intended meaning less clear, and some formal phrases sound forced rather than precise. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, describe events as “bringing nations together” or “boosting tourism,” rather than relying on awkward combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast introduced by “However” and the purpose clause “which means that…”. Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “international sports events also promotes” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “every countries participating” has an incorrect determiner and plural form. In “international sports events allows to represent their country,” the subject–verb agreement and sentence construction are faulty. The opening also has a comma separating the subject from its verb in “The Football World Cup, are,” and the final sentence lacks a complete, clearly controlled structure. Review agreement, articles and sentence boundaries, while practising complex sentences that express cause and contrast accurately.

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