Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-02

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 8.0)

Some people believe that it is better to accept difficult situations, while others think that people should try to improve them. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that trying to improve a bad situation is generally the better choice.

On the one hand, accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be the most practical option. Some problems are beyond a person’s control, and continuously worrying about them can cause stress and frustration. For example, if someone loses their job during an economic crisis, finding another job may take a long time. In this situation, accepting the circumstances temporarily and making the best of them can help the person remain calm and focus on other aspects of life. Furthermore, learning to accept certain situations can make people more patient and emotionally stronger.

On the other hand, I believe that people should make an effort to improve their circumstances whenever possible. Taking action can create new opportunities and lead to a better quality of life. For instance, someone who is unhappy with their job can learn new skills, apply for other positions, or start a small business. Similarly, a person experiencing financial difficulties can reduce unnecessary expenses or look for additional sources of income. Although these actions may not produce immediate results, they can gradually improve the situation.

In my opinion, the best approach is to accept situations that cannot be changed while actively trying to improve those that can. Simply accepting a bad situation without making any effort may prevent people from reaching their full potential. Therefore, people should remain realistic about their circumstances but should also take practical steps towards a better future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt effectively. You have discussed both perspectives—the value of acceptance and the importance of proactive improvement—and provided a clear, balanced personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the examples regarding job loss and financial difficulties, which ground your arguments in realistic scenarios. The conclusion synthesizes your position well by suggesting a nuanced approach. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the analysis by exploring the potential long-term consequences of each approach, such as the psychological impact of persistent striving versus the risk of stagnation when accepting negative situations.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'On the other hand.' The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow your argument easily. The use of referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. To improve, you could experiment with a wider variety of cohesive devices to link sentences more tightly, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are even more explicit and sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'beyond a person’s control,' 'economic crisis,' and 'reaching their full potential' are used accurately and appropriately. The language is natural and conveys your meaning clearly. While the vocabulary is effective, it is largely functional. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations that demonstrate a deeper command of the language, such as 'resilience in the face of adversity' or 'proactive measures to mitigate challenges.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'if someone loses their job... finding another job may take a long time' and the concessive clause 'Although these actions may not produce immediate results.' The punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is consistently error-free, which is a strong indicator of control. To push toward a higher band, you could incorporate a greater variety of complex sentence forms, such as inverted structures or more advanced passive constructions.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.