Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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)

Some people believe that individuals should accept difficult circumstances, such as having a poor job or experiencing financial hardship, whereas others argue that people should strive to improve their situations. I believe that people should not simply tolerate unfavourable circumstances when they have the ability to change them, because progress requires determination and action.

Those who support accepting difficult situations argue that tolerance is an important human quality. People sometimes fail despite their efforts, and some believe that life unfolds according to God's will, meaning that many events are beyond human control. Nevertheless, accepting every difficulty passively can prevent individuals from achieving their potential. If people become resigned to failure or poverty, they may remain trapped in unsatisfactory circumstances and lead unhappy lives.

Admittedly, acceptance is necessary when circumstances are genuinely beyond human control, such as serious illnesses or natural disasters. However, people should not adopt the same attitude towards areas such as education and employment, where improvement is often possible through effort. If individuals remain passive, they may be left behind those who actively pursue better opportunities. For example, accepting financial hardship will not improve one's economic position; instead, a person must seek employment, develop relevant skills and turn intentions into action. Had Elon Musk accepted bankruptcy as inevitable, he might never have achieved his subsequent success.

In conclusion, although accepting unavoidable circumstances can help people cope with situations beyond their control, difficulties that can be changed should be confronted rather than tolerated. Individuals should therefore remain proactive and determined to improve their circumstances, as meaningful progress generally occurs when people are willing to move beyond their comfort zones.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly discuss both perspectives—the argument for acceptance and the argument for proactive improvement—and provide a well-defined personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between situations beyond human control (like natural disasters) and those within one's agency (like career development). The inclusion of a specific example, such as Elon Musk, effectively supports your argument. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the response is balanced and logical, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Nevertheless', 'Admittedly', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall flow of the essay. The referencing is clear, and the relationship between sentences is well-managed, ensuring that the argument remains coherent from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'unfavourable circumstances', 'genuinely beyond human control', and 'proactive and determined' show a sophisticated command of language. The word choices are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and you successfully incorporate less common lexical items to convey your ideas clearly and effectively. The vocabulary is varied and contributes significantly to the overall quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms (e.g., 'Had Elon Musk accepted bankruptcy...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of varied sentence lengths and structures keeps the writing engaging and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence. The accuracy is consistent throughout the text, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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.