Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-17

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 5.0)

Many individuals believe that it is best to accept an adverse situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. Others claim that it is b beneficial to enhance such situations. While opinions remain divided, I firmly contend that although shortage of money or dissatisfying job may seem inevitable, it is important to overcome these situations. On the one hand, if people accept negative situations, they may lose their confidence. Such conditions encourage people to perform risk-taking behavior. This brings abo

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response4.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under-length, containing only 82 words compared to the 250-word minimum requirement. Consequently, the task is not fully addressed. While the introduction attempts to present both sides and a clear position, the body paragraph is cut off abruptly, preventing any meaningful development of ideas or supporting arguments. The response fails to provide the necessary depth or examples required for a Task 2 essay. To improve, you must ensure you complete the full essay structure, including well-developed body paragraphs that explore both perspectives and provide a clear, supported conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay shows a basic attempt at logical organization by using a standard introduction structure. However, because the text is incomplete, it is impossible to assess the overall progression of ideas or the effective use of cohesive devices throughout a full essay. The transition 'On the one hand' is used correctly to introduce the first point, but the lack of further development means there is no cohesive flow between paragraphs or ideas. To improve, focus on completing your arguments and using a wider range of linking words to connect your sentences and paragraphs logically.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the topic, with phrases like 'adverse situation' and 'firmly contend' demonstrating a reasonable level of control. However, there are minor errors such as 'b beneficial' (repetition) and 'brings abo' (incomplete word). The range is limited due to the brevity of the response, which prevents the demonstration of a wider or more sophisticated vocabulary. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise collocations and ensure that your vocabulary is varied and error-free throughout a full-length response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The sentences produced are grammatically sound, such as 'Many individuals believe that it is best to accept an adverse situation.' There is an attempt at complex sentence structures through the use of 'While' and 'although' clauses. However, the incomplete nature of the text limits the assessment of your grammatical range. There are minor issues, such as the missing article in 'dissatisfying job' and the incomplete sentence at the end. To improve, ensure you complete your thoughts to demonstrate full control over complex structures and maintain accuracy across a longer piece of writing.

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

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