Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-12

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 our life, we meet with many unexpected situations like shortage of money or unsatisfactory job or goal. In that case, some of us believe to accept these kinds of situations and considered these as luck. On the other hand, some think, they should search for better opportunity instead of accepting bad conditions of their life. In my opinion, I believe the second option is far more better than the first one because efforts can change our fortune.

In our daily life, we face various kinds of experiences. Some find their job which cannot give them pleasure. They consider themselves as unlucky and just accept their situations. Even they never try to change it. They just try to cope with what they are facing. Sometimes they get adapted. For example, a bagger, he never tries to do other physical jobs which can change his fate. He just accepts that he has not enough money to live his life.

On the other hand, people who are not afraid of taking challenges, doing hard works, give efforts to improve their present conditions, do not give in their fate may gain success at a time. These types of people always focus on their economical as well as social improvement. They do not confined themselves in their thoughts or limitations.

In a nutshell, I definitely believe, people should give efforst so that they could improve their current situation and may live a decent life in future. This path is not so easy but each must try with courage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You present a clear preference for trying to improve difficult circumstances, especially in the introduction and conclusion, and you give a relevant example of someone remaining in low-paid work. However, the two views are not explored equally: acceptance is described mainly as giving up, with little explanation of why someone might reasonably choose it, such as valuing stability or facing limited alternatives. The argument for change is also asserted more than developed; claims about gaining success and improving social standing would benefit from a specific explanation or example. The response therefore addresses the main parts of the prompt, but some ideas remain general or unclear. To strengthen it, explain the benefits and drawbacks of each view before showing why you favour one.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two positions, and a concluding opinion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In a nutshell” help signal the direction of the discussion. However, progression within the body paragraphs is sometimes limited: the first gives one example but does not develop the reasons for accepting a difficult situation, while the second lists qualities and possible outcomes without connecting them in detail. Some references are also unclear, as in “these kinds of situations” and “They just try to cope with what they are facing.” Develop each paragraph around a clear main point, then explain and illustrate it. This would make the organisation more coherent and reduce the sense of ideas being listed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a range of relevant vocabulary, including “unexpected situations,” “cope,” “taking challenges,” “limitations,” and “decent life,” so the topic is generally clear. However, the range is limited by repeated general terms such as “situations,” “people,” and “improve,” and several word choices or collocations are noticeably inaccurate: “give efforts,” “economical improvement,” and “give in their fate” do not express the intended meanings naturally. There are also spelling errors, including “efforst,” and “bagger” appears to be an unsuitable or unclear example. Aim to learn vocabulary in natural phrases and choose precise terms for the circumstances discussed, such as financial hardship, job satisfaction, or career prospects. This will make your ideas easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast introduced by “On the other hand” and the reason clause “because efforts can change our fortune.” Meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and grammatical forms occur across the response. For example, “some of us believe to accept” needs a different verb pattern, and “They do not confined themselves” has an incorrect verb form. The example sentence beginning “For example, a bagger, he…” is also not a complete, well-formed sentence. Articles, agreement, and punctuation need attention as well. Practise building accurate sentences with verbs such as “believe that,” “try to,” and “are confined,” and check each sentence for a clear subject and finite verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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