Cambridge 19 - Test 1
Question
Some people think that competition at work, at school and in daily life is a good thing. Others believe that we should try to cooperate more, rather than competing against each other.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Answer
Some people argue that competition in work, school and daily life plays a positive role, while others believe that cooperation should be given more emphasis. Both perspectives have their own merits, yet I am convinced that competition is the more fundamental factor.
On the one hand, competition motivates individuals to constantly improve themselves. When students or employees compare their performances against others, they are encouraged to push their limits and refine their skills. For instance, students in Vietnam often study intensively to outperform their peers in order to secure admission to prestigious high schools or universities. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that excessive competition can create stress and anxiety, as individuals must shoulder mounting pressures in their attempts to better themselves, which in turn undermines overall well-being. Despite these drawbacks, it is undeniable that competition functions as a powerful incentive for personal progress.
On the other hand, cooperation enhances teamwork abilities and creates stronger bonds among individuals. In both schools and workplaces, working together allows people to exchange ideas, divide responsibilities and accomplish goals that a single person cannot achieve alone. For example, in the medical field, doctors, nurses and technicians must collaborate closely to perform surgeries with greater precision and improve treatment outcomes for patients. However, collaboration by itself is limited in scope if the participants lack solid individual abilities. In fact, successful group outcomes often rely on the competence of each member. This means that competition, by pushing individuals to become more capable, actually forms the basis upon which cooperation can flourish.
In conclusion, while cooperation is important for collective achievements, I believe that competition is the driving force behind individual growth, which eventually benefits the entire group. Without competition, cooperation would be weakened because there would be no strong individuals to sustain it.
Estimated: 8.0