Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-27

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 7.5)

There are people who argue that when bad situations happen, it is better to just accept the fact and move on. Whereas others see that it is more beneficial to try improving the situation.

While accepting a bad situation and simply aknowlledging it has its benefits like reducing stress levels and avoiding crash-outs, I believe that working on the situation and trying to improve it might be more beneficial in the long run.

The idea that says it is in our best interest to just accept the negative events that life throws our way such as a break up, a job lay over or a shortage of money, is based on the belief that we cannot change or control the outcome of certain situations in life . So it is better not focus on the things that lay out of our control as it has no real effect and worrying won't fix anything. Add to that, stress has detrimental effects on the human body and mind as it raises cortisol levels which affects sleep and can cause muscle atrophy and brain damage not to mention it harms on cardiovascular ways. This stoic mindset does has its advantages, but take it too far and you are left stuck in the same place with no plan to get out or fix your situation. It provides a certain type of comfort found in acceptance of your circumstances. However, this is where the drawbacks begin, this comfort zone draws people in and leaves them stranded. it takes away their will to fight and to find a way out .For this reason i believe that we should not surrender to our circumstances and that we should try everything we can to get back on our feet after a setback. It is crucial to try as there is always a way to fix a problem or improve the results of a situation. This mindset fuels future success and ensure that you are never standing still while your life is heading in a bad direction. If you ask any business owner pro athlete or a successful academic about the trait that helped them the most to succeed in life, most of the time they will mention perseverance, the ability to stand up after getting knocked down and continue fighting, it means that you never stop trying even it means rebuilding everything from the ground up.

In conclusion, being a stoic is very beneficial for your well being but as you choose not to focus on what's outside of your control you should also choose to work on what in your control and make the best out of it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the merits of acceptance and the benefits of proactive improvement. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion on the psychological impact of stress versus the necessity of perseverance. To reach a higher band, ensure that the transition between the two viewpoints is more balanced; the second body paragraph is significantly more detailed than the first. However, the overall task response is strong, relevant, and well-supported with logical arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'While,' 'However,' and 'For this reason' to connect ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. At times, the flow is slightly mechanical, and some sentence transitions could be smoother. For instance, the jump between discussing cortisol levels and the 'stoic mindset' could be better bridged. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, and the central topic of each paragraph is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision. Phrases like 'detrimental effects,' 'muscle atrophy,' and 'rebuilding from the ground up' show a good command of language. There are some minor spelling errors ('aknowlledging') and occasional awkward collocations, such as 'harms on cardiovascular ways' (should be 'harms the cardiovascular system'). While you attempt some sophisticated vocabulary, there is room to incorporate more precise academic collocations to elevate the tone further. The vocabulary is adequate and allows for clear communication of your ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. There are several error-free sentences, which is positive. However, there are recurring grammatical slips, such as 'This stoic mindset does has its advantages' (should be 'does have') and 'it lays out of our control' (should be 'lies'). Punctuation is generally functional, though there are some run-on sentences and missing commas that slightly disrupt the flow. Despite these errors, the meaning is never obscured, and your control over complex structures is sufficient for a solid band score.

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