Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15

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)

Major international sports events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup are watched by millions of people across the globe. While some people believe these events build friendly relations between nations. However, others argue that they lead to unhealthy competition. In my opinion, although these events create strong competition, they ultimately assist bring countries together and these ideas will be shown in the upcoming paragraphs.

To commence with the reasons why individuals says that these events create competition rather than friendship between nations. The first and foremost reason is that intense national pride can lead to friction. To clarify, when athletes represent their home countries, winning becomes a matter of national pride. This high level of pressure can sometimes result in aggression or political boycotts. For instance, high-stakes football matches between neighboring countries often lead to arguments among supporters. As a result, proving this competition can increase tension rather than create harmony.

On the other hand, some people feel that global sports events foster international unity. To elaborate it, these tournaments offer a rare chance for people from different cultural and political backgrounds to meet peacefully and share a passion for sports. Moreover, host countries welcome thousands of international fans, which promotes cultural exchange and mutual respect. Consequently, this will aid the people to know each others culture and improve nations' relations.

In conclusion, while the competitive nature of international sports can occasionally cause friction, but i believe that the positive impact far outweighs the negative. Ultimately, these global events play a crucial role in bringing people together and promoting world peace.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address both perspectives and state a clear opinion: international events can create friction, but their positive effect on unity is greater. The discussion is relevant and includes supporting examples, such as pressure on athletes and arguments among supporters at matches between neighbouring countries. You also explain how hosting fans can encourage cultural exchange. This fits the descriptor because the main ideas are extended and supported, although some claims remain broad: the example of football matches is general, and the link between cultural exchange and improved relations could be explained more fully. To strengthen the response, develop one specific example for each view and show more explicitly how it supports your position. The conclusion restates your view consistently with the introduction.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting the concerns about competition, a contrasting paragraph on unity, and a conclusion. The progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help distinguish the stages of the argument. This is a logical and coherent arrangement. Some linking is less natural or slightly repetitive, however: “To commence with” and “To clarify” make the first body paragraph feel formulaic, while “As a result, proving this competition…” does not connect the preceding example smoothly. The opening also uses “While” followed by “However” in a way that disrupts the sentence. Aim for more direct transitions and clearer references between claims and examples.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a sufficient range of topic-related vocabulary, including “national pride,” “political boycotts,” “cultural backgrounds,” “cultural exchange,” and “mutual respect.” These choices help express the contrast between rivalry and international understanding, and the meaning remains clear. There is also some attempt at more formal phrasing, though several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “assist bring countries together,” “To elaborate it,” and “aid the people to know each others culture.” “Proving this competition” is also an unclear choice for the intended meaning. This performance shows some awareness of formal vocabulary, but more accurate collocations and word forms are needed for greater flexibility and precision. Prefer natural combinations such as “help bring,” “promote,” and “learn about other cultures.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including a concession in the introduction and conditional phrasing in “when athletes represent their home countries.” Most ideas remain understandable, and the response includes several complete sentences. Some grammatical errors persist, however. “While some people believe …” is left as a sentence fragment before “However,” and the conclusion combines “while” with “but.” There are also agreement and form errors in “individuals says,” “each others culture,” and the lower-case “i.” These issues do not generally prevent understanding, but they show that control is not yet consistent. Review sentence boundaries, subject–verb agreement, possessive forms, and punctuation, then check complex sentences for a complete main clause.

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