Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-31

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)

Few people believe that international sports event, such as Olympics or the Football world cups, are a good way to bring nations together. Others agrue, that these events creates competition, and not friendship, between countries. Although, people say that it creates rivalry, I believe it's a good way to bring people from different countries together.

On one hand, people believe that games like Football or Cricket brings rivalry and not friendship. it is a game so, it will be challenging and competative. There is no fun it there are no clashes. Futher, it is a good way to motivate the player to give their best and return home as winners. For example, in World Cup we usually see how clashes, make a player to play at a full potential knowing how strong the opponents are. However, I believe, this events creates friendship and it provides people with more long term benefits.

On the other hand, I believe, it's more than just competiting with other nations. The major advantage is that, it gives an opportunity for the leaders to meet each other and get to know them and their country. These friendships goes a long way, whch is beneficial for the the people of both countries. For instance, when there is an event in India, the PM meet other leaders and disuss about the negociation that will benefit both the parties.

To conclude, I believe it is not only competiton but aslo, it is a way to know each other and extending a hand for friendship, which comes with various benefits to the nation and its people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state your position: the opening acknowledges that sport can create rivalry, while the conclusion argues that it can also foster friendship. The discussion of competition is relevant, particularly the point that clashes can motivate players to perform well. However, the task is only partly developed: the first view is explained mainly through sporting competition, and the claim that events unite countries is supported mostly by leaders meeting, rather than by explaining how the events themselves build wider connections. The India example is also vague about the event and the negotiations. Develop each view with a clearer explanation and a specific, relevant example, and make your position more consistently explicit throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Phrases such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “To conclude” help signal the organisation. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear: the first body paragraph moves from rivalry to player motivation and then to long-term benefits without fully connecting these points. Some linking expressions are awkward or overused, and the opening of the second body paragraph repeats the writer’s opinion rather than clearly developing the contrast. Use topic sentences that state each paragraph’s main point, then connect explanation and example directly to it; ensure references such as “these friendships” have a clear antecedent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “rivalry,” “opponents,” “full potential,” and “long term benefits,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, such as “agrue,” “competative,” “Futher,” “competiting,” and “competiton.” Some combinations are also unnatural, including “clashes, make a player to play” and “extending a hand for friendship.” These issues fit a response with a minimally adequate but noticeably inaccurate vocabulary range. Check spelling carefully and learn common collocations for discussing international relations and sport. More precise terms would help distinguish sporting rivalry from diplomatic cooperation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a concession with “Although” and a relative clause in “which comes with various benefits.” However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to follow. Examples include “international sports event” and “these events creates,” where number agreement is incorrect, and “games like Football or Cricket brings,” which also has a subject–verb agreement error. Sentence construction is faulty in “There is no fun it there are no clashes” and “make a player to play.” Articles and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “in World Cup” and the comma after “Although.” Practise agreement, article use, and building complete clauses before adding complex structures.

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