Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-11

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 6.0)

It is perceived by some that a person should accept a bad circumstance, and others argue that they should strive to make their condition better. It might be hard to change the things you are unsatisfied with, but I agree that we should always work towards improving our lives.

On one hand, people do not want to make any changes to their current circumstances. This can be overwhelming for many people because change means risking what you have currently. A person might not be successful in the attempt of making their lives better, and could end up failing. This fear hinders people and they stay where they are in their lives. For example, only a few people choose to pursue business because it is not quite promising in terms of success.

On the other hand, there are people who take chances, and tackle different challenges. This includes enrolling in new courses, networking, going in different seminars, or even switching jobs. The main idea behind this is that change can be uncomfortable, but it can bring opportunities. All of this helps improve anybody's overall life. For instance, many business owners are people who are ready to take calculated risks and crack new deals for the betterment of their companies. I agree with this notion because any step taken for the sake of improvement is somewhat beneficial.

In conclusion, staying stuck in a situation might be less challenging, but it does not guarantee any sort of benefit, and for this reason reason it is relatively better to take opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant, such as the fear of failure versus the benefits of calculated risk-taking. However, the development is somewhat limited; the examples provided, such as 'enrolling in new courses' or 'pursuing business', are brief and could be expanded with more specific detail or deeper analysis to reach a higher band. The position is consistent throughout, but the depth of argumentation is more characteristic of a Band 6.5 or 7.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the two opposing views. Cohesive devices such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'For instance' are used appropriately to guide the reader. However, the transition between ideas could be smoother, and some sentences feel slightly disjointed. The repetition of the word 'reason' in the final sentence is a minor mechanical error in cohesion. Overall, the flow is logical and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. You use some good collocations like 'calculated risks' and 'unsatisfactory job'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary such as 'bad', 'things', and 'good'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to express your ideas with greater nuance. For example, instead of 'make their lives better', you could use 'enhance their personal circumstances' or 'strive for self-improvement'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, which ensures that communication is not impeded. There are some minor errors, such as 'going in different seminars' (should be 'attending') and 'for this reason reason' (repetition). While you attempt complex structures, the control is not yet consistent enough for a higher band. Increasing the variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or passive constructions, would help improve your score in this area.

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

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