Band 7 Example

Question: Which is more important, competition or cooperation?

Idea 1

Competition
Model Answer
Competition is more important because it makes people try harder. For example, in sports, athletes compete to win medals, and this pushes them to do their best.
I believe competition is crucial as it drives innovation and improvement. It motivates individuals to strive for excellence and helps in identifying the best ideas or talents, much like how competition in the business market leads to better products and services.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of present simple tense: The answer effectively uses the present simple tense ("is crucial", "drives", "motivates", "helps", "leads") to discuss general truths and ongoing effects, which is appropriate for discussing abstract concepts like competition and cooperation. 2. Comparative structures: The use of comparative phrases like "better products and services" effectively highlights the benefits of competition, enhancing the argumentative aspect of the response.
Vocabulary
  • - competition is crucial
  • - drives innovation and improvement
  • - motivates individuals to strive for excellence
  • - identifying the best ideas or talents
  • - better products and services

Idea 2

Cooperation
Model Answer
Cooperation is more important because it helps people get along better. When people work together, like in a team at work, they can achieve more than if they were working alone.
I think cooperation is more important because it builds stronger communities and relationships. It leads to shared success and mutual benefits, which are essential for tackling global challenges like climate change, through teamwork in the workplace or international agreements.
Grammar Analysis
1. Comparative structure: The use of "more important" effectively sets up a comparison between competition and cooperation, which is central to the question. 2. Causal clauses: "because it builds stronger communities and relationships" - This clause provides a reason for the preference, enhancing the argumentative structure of the response.
Vocabulary
  • - stronger communities and relationships
  • - shared success and mutual benefits
  • - global challenges
  • - teamwork
  • - international agreements

Idea 3

Both are important
Model Answer
Both competition and cooperation are important. Sometimes you need to compete to be the best, but other times you need to work together to achieve something big.
Both competition and cooperation hold significant importance. A balance between the two is key in many aspects of life. While competition can spark initiative and drive individuals to excel, cooperation ensures sustainable progress and collective success, especially in environments like the workplace or educational institutions where teamwork is crucial.
Grammar Analysis
1. Contrastive structure: The use of "While" to introduce a contrast between the effects of competition and cooperation enhances the complexity of the sentence structure. 2. Complex sentences: The answer effectively uses complex sentences to discuss the roles of both competition and cooperation, showing a high level of grammatical control.
Vocabulary
  • - spark initiative
  • - drive individuals to excel
  • - sustainable progress
  • - collective success
  • - teamwork is crucial