IELTS Writing Task 2 · Discussion (both views and your opinion) · General Training

Working in a team versus alone: discuss both views

The question

Some think it's better to work in a team, others prefer working alone. Discuss both sides.

About 40 minutes. Write at least 250 words.

Plan before you write

Position:
While independent work fosters personal focus, I believe that collaborative environments generally yield more innovative results.
Paragraph 2:
Working alone allows individuals to maintain complete control over their tasks and avoid the distractions of group dynamics.
Paragraph 3:
Teamwork facilitates the exchange of diverse perspectives, which often leads to more sophisticated problem-solving outcomes.
  1. Give each view its own paragraph, explained fairly even where you disagree.
  2. Say where you stand in the introduction and again in the conclusion; the question asks for your opinion.
  3. Do not merge the two views into one paragraph; examiners look for both to be developed.

Band 8 sample essay

Professional environments often require employees to choose between solitary tasks and collective efforts. While some argue that working independently is more efficient, others maintain that cooperation is superior. This essay will examine both perspectives before arguing that collaborative work is typically more advantageous for complex projects.

Working alone provides individuals with the autonomy to manage their own pace and maintain deep focus without interpersonal interruptions. By eliminating the necessity for constant communication, employees can avoid the inefficiencies often associated with group decision-making. For instance, software developers frequently prefer solitary conditions to write complex code, as this allows them to immerse themselves fully in the logic of their work without the potential for conflicting input from colleagues.

Conversely, participating in a team encourages a synergy that is difficult to achieve in isolation. When individuals with varied expertise collaborate, they can pool their knowledge to overcome hurdles that might baffle a single person. A clear example of this is seen in medical research, where interdisciplinary teams combine their specific insights to develop treatments for diseases more rapidly than a lone researcher could manage. This collective intellectual effort often results in higher-quality outcomes and fosters a sense of shared responsibility.

Ultimately, although solitary work is beneficial for tasks requiring singular concentration, collaboration generally drives better innovation and problem-solving capabilities. In my view, the ability to synthesize multiple viewpoints makes team-based work the more effective approach for the majority of modern professional challenges. Organisations that prioritise a collaborative culture are likely to achieve greater success than those that isolate their workforce.

257 words. Use the structure and the vocabulary, not the sentences.

Why this scores Band 8

A Band 8 response earns high marks by providing a clear, logical progression of ideas with sophisticated vocabulary and precise topic development. A Band 6 answer typically fails by listing generic pros and cons without a clear opinion or by using repetitive, overused phrases that lack original analysis.

Vocabulary from the essay

autonomy
the freedom to act and think independently
synergy
combined effect greater than the sum of parts
interdisciplinary
involving several different academic or professional fields
synthesize
combine different elements to form a coherent whole
interpersonal
relating to relationships or communication between people
prioritise
treat something as more important than other things
inefficiencies
wasting time or effort during a specific process
solitary
done or existing alone without other people

Write this one yourself and get a band

Forty minutes, then a band for task response, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences that cost you marked.

Practise IELTS writing

On your phone? Get the BandLadder app for scored writing practice anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What type of essay is "Working in a team versus alone: discuss both views"?

Discussion (both views and your opinion). Give each view its own paragraph, explained fairly even where you disagree.

How long should the answer be?

At least 250 words. This sample is 257 words, written to fit 40 minutes with five minutes left to check grammar.

What is the difference between a Band 6 and a Band 8 answer here?

A Band 8 response earns high marks by providing a clear, logical progression of ideas with sophisticated vocabulary and precise topic development. A Band 6 answer typically fails by listing generic pros and cons without a clear opinion or by using repetitive, overused phrases that lack original analysis.

More sample essays