Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-10
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)
A lot of individuals agrees that the best decision is to admit a bad time of their life, for example a career that doesn't sit well with their life goal or reduction of funds. as a result of fear or uncertainty While some others think otherwise. because they have assume it is better to try than not to.
On one hand, so many people remain where they are not comfortable because of the fear of losing what they have already. Some individuals are afraid of investing in businesses or some other investments because of the fear of losing the money they invested maybe as a result of an experience they might have had in the past so with that they rather remain where they are. For example i have a friend who has a business that almost didn't bring income again after he got married, when i introduced him to an investment he declined because his uncle has lost a lot of money on it before. So those kind of people would rather manage what they are passing through than to risk and lose.
On the other hand, so may people never give up or settle for less no matter what they always have that zeal to always move higher in everything they do, like applying for another work immediately they lose a job or they feel like they need to do better or maybe also elevate. For instance a former colleague of mine who got more responsibility and felt like he needs more income started making moves like seeking for new jobs, skill and some other things that could fetch him money and ended up getting a better paying job and started making more money.
Being motivated to push for more, helps you to progress and meet more opportunities. For example, when i left the job i was doing to learn a skill, after learning i started working on my own and getting connections which helped me to generate more funds.
In conclusion, in as much as it is not assured to come out great after making another move to find a better life, i believe it is better to try and hope it comes out well.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. The arguments rely heavily on personal anecdotes rather than broader, more analytical reasoning. While the prompt is addressed, the discussion lacks the depth required for a higher band. For instance, the explanation of why people accept bad situations is limited to fear of loss, without exploring psychological or socio-economic factors. The position is clear, but the supporting points could be more robustly developed to fully satisfy the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive. Phrases like 'On one hand' and 'On the other hand' are used correctly, but the transitions between sentences within paragraphs are sometimes abrupt. There are also issues with sentence structure, such as the fragmented opening paragraph where 'While some others think otherwise' is left as a sentence fragment. Improved use of linking words and better control over sentence boundaries would enhance the flow of the essay significantly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. The student uses basic phrasing such as 'bad time of their life' and 'manage what they are passing through'. There are some attempts at more specific vocabulary, but these are often used in slightly unnatural collocations. For example, 'reduction of funds' is a bit awkward in this context. To improve, the student should focus on using more sophisticated academic vocabulary and ensuring that word choices are precise and contextually appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. Subject-verb agreement is a recurring issue, such as 'A lot of individuals agrees'. There are also punctuation errors, such as missing commas and the use of sentence fragments. While the student attempts some complex structures, these are often marred by errors in tense or word order. The range of structures is limited, and the lack of control over basic grammar prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and sentence completeness is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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