Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-09

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)

It is often argued that people should accept difficult circumstances, such as an unsatisfactory job or financial problems, rather than trying to change them. While accepting an unpleasant situation may sometimes be practical, I believe that people should generally make efforts to improve their circumstances whenever possible.

On the one hand, accepting a difficult situation can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Firstly, some problems are beyond an individual’s control, and constantly worrying about them can lead to unnecessary stress and frustration. For instance, a person who is struggling financially due to an economic crisis may have limited opportunities to increase their income immediately. In such a case, accepting the situation temporarily and managing expenses carefully can be more sensible than making unrealistic decisions. Moreover, acceptance can help people remain patient and emotionally stable until better opportunities become available.

On the other hand, I believe that trying to improve an unsatisfactory situation is usually a more positive approach. To begin with, taking action can help people achieve better living conditions and greater job satisfaction. For example, an employee who is unhappy with their job can acquire new skills, gain additional qualifications or search for alternative employment. Similarly, someone facing financial difficulties can reduce unnecessary expenses or develop an additional source of income. These efforts can gradually improve their circumstances and give them a greater sense of achievement and independence. Therefore, simply accepting an undesirable situation may prevent people from reaching their full potential.

In conclusion, although accepting certain difficult circumstances can be reasonable when they cannot be changed immediately, I believe that people should not remain passive. Making practical efforts to improve one’s situation is generally a better approach, as it can create opportunities for a more satisfying and secure future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the merits of acceptance in uncontrollable situations and the benefits of proactive change—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of economic crises and the specific steps an employee might take to improve their career. The conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments and reinforces your stance. The response is balanced, logical, and directly answers the task requirements, demonstrating a clear understanding of the essay topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Moreover', and 'To begin with'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is logical, ensuring the reader can follow your argument without difficulty. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clearly established, meeting the criteria for a high level of coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'difficult circumstances', 'emotionally stable', 'unrealistic decisions', and 'reaching their full potential' are used accurately and appropriately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current range is flexible enough to convey your meaning clearly and effectively throughout the essay, with no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional clauses ('if they cannot be changed') and participial phrases ('simply accepting an undesirable situation may prevent...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that distract the reader or cause confusion. The sentence structures are varied, moving between simple and complex forms with ease, which demonstrates a solid command of English grammar suitable for this level.

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

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