Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.

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)

In life it is possible to find oneself in an unpleasant situation caused by factors beyond control. Such may include financial constraints or stressful working environment. This essay is going to discuss whether an individual should struggle to change the status quo or should be contented with the condition. I am also going to give my stand.

To begin with accepting the situation may not be a solution because it doesn't mean that the problem will be gone. Take for example a scenario where an individual doesn't have enough money to pay for rent. If such person doesn't do something to rectify the matter it will lead to worsening of the situation as he/she maybe locked out of the house by the landlord.

A depressing working enviroment will only lead to depression of an employee. The truth is that we spend alot of time in our workplace and there it should be a place we yearn to be. The best thing is to search for a satisfying job and then quitting the stressful one in orde to take care of one's sanity.

On the contrary attempting to overcome a difficult situation comes with its oy hurdles Take for example where an individual want to move out of his current work station it mai necessiate getting a transfer which may not come out easily making the victy even more depressed. Maybe it would have been better if such a person tried to adapt to the current joi.

According to me accepting a disarisfyi situation will do more harm than trying to change it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the central issue and give a clear preference for trying to change an unsatisfactory situation, especially in the conclusion: “accepting a disatisfying situation will do more harm than trying to change it.” The examples about rent and a stressful workplace are relevant. However, the discussion of acceptance is not fully balanced: the essay mainly argues against accepting a problem, while the opposing view appears briefly in the final body paragraph and is not explained in depth. The transfer example also needs a clearer link to why adapting might be preferable. To strengthen the response, explain the benefits of acceptance in situations that cannot readily be changed, then support your own position with more developed reasoning and examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, separate body paragraphs and a conclusion, and signposts such as “To begin with” and “On the contrary” help show the intended direction. However, progression is uneven: the first two body paragraphs both argue for changing circumstances, while the opposing view is compressed into one paragraph and is difficult to follow. Some links between ideas are unclear, particularly the move from needing a transfer to the suggestion that adapting may be better. The introduction also announces that the essay will discuss the issue without clearly previewing the two sides. Organise the body around one paragraph for each view, and use explicit references and transitions to show how each example supports its point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “financial constraints,” “status quo,” “stressful working environment” and “rectify,” which helps convey the subject. There is also an attempt to vary expression rather than relying entirely on basic words. However, several choices are awkward or imprecise, such as “contented with the condition,” “depression of an employee” and “current work station.” Spelling errors, including “enviroment,” “necessiate” and “disarisfyi,” are noticeable and reduce the accuracy of the vocabulary. Aim for natural collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, describe someone as “satisfied with their circumstances” and refer to a “current workplace.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex structures, including conditional sentences such as “If such person doesn't do something … it will lead to worsening of the situation.” This shows an effort to express cause and consequence. However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make sentences difficult to process. Examples include the missing article in “a stressful working environment,” the agreement error in “an individual want,” and the incomplete construction “Take for example where an individual…” The sentence beginning “On the contrary” also needs clearer punctuation and structure. Review articles, subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries, and make sure each example is expressed as a complete, clearly punctuated sentence.

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