Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17
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)
Some people think that International games such as the Olympics or the Football World Cup help folks of different nations come together and play along, but on the opposite side of the coin, some folks believe that it only tends to create more competition with each other that can result in fights between two nations. I agree with the Former statement, and I will explain my point with suitable examples in the upcoming paragraphs.
To begin with, I personally think that Sports like the World Cup represent different nations and will help people from diverse communities come together while watching the Match. Moreover, it will help folks to experience cultural diversity as they get to know each country's players. For Example: In the FIFA World Cup 2026, People from all over the world come together in stadium to support Ronaldo even though they are not from Portugal. This shows that Sports help make connections around the world.
On the other hand, there are some people who believe that Sports or games break friendships between different countries and weaken them as folks start fighting over their teams. Some people get so angry that they start cursing another team.
In Conclusion, to wrap things up, I believe that Sport helps every country to grow economically as well as improve relations between two different nations. Also, people have to be aware that Sports are not for fighting over their teams with another country; they are to develop a strong connection between them. I think that the government should take some action about it so that everyone can enjoy watching sports.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You give a clear opinion in the introduction—“I agree with the Former statement”—and address both views, so the response is relevant to the task. The case for bringing countries together is supported with an example of international fans supporting a player, although the example is tied to a future tournament and would be stronger if explained more precisely. The opposing view is mentioned, but its development is limited to fans becoming angry and “cursing another team”; it does not explain how this competition might damage relations between countries. The conclusion adds economic growth, a point not developed earlier. To strengthen the response, explain both perspectives more fully and connect each example directly to international friendship or rivalry.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph supporting international unity, a paragraph presenting the opposing view, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “To begin with,” “On the other hand,” and “In Conclusion” make the progression easy to follow. However, some linking is mechanical, and the second body paragraph is much shorter and less developed than the first. The conclusion repeats the position and introduces economic benefits without a clear link to the preceding discussion. Referencing is occasionally imprecise, as in “it only tends to create more competition,” where “it” could refer to sports or the events. Develop the opposing paragraph and use clearer links between claims and examples to make the argument flow more naturally.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use enough vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “cultural diversity,” “diverse communities,” and “connections around the world.” However, the range is limited by repeated informal words such as “folks,” “things” and “sports,” and some expressions are not well suited to an IELTS essay. “On the opposite side of the coin” is an awkwardly extended idiom, while “play along” does not clearly express international cooperation. Capitalisation is also inconsistent in “International,” “Former,” “Match,” and “People.” Aim for more precise, formal collocations and avoid repeating general terms. For example, describe spectators as “supporters from different countries” and explain that events can “foster international understanding” or “intensify national rivalry.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a contrast clause in the opening and a subordinate clause in “as they get to know each country's players.” Most sentences communicate their meaning, and errors do not generally prevent understanding. Some grammatical control is inconsistent, however. In “come together in stadium,” the singular count noun needs an article, and “Sports like the World Cup represent different nations and will help” shifts awkwardly between present and future forms. The sentence beginning “In Conclusion, to wrap things up” also repeats the introductory phrase, making the construction cumbersome. Work on articles, consistent tense choices, and more controlled sentence openings while retaining your attempts at complex structures.
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