Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-24

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 when people face difficult circumstances, such as an unsatisfactory job or financial problems, it is better to accept the situation. Others argue that people should make an effort to improve their circumstances. I believe that although accepting a difficult situation may sometimes be necessary, trying to improve it is generally the better approach.

On the one hand, accepting a bad situation can be sensible in certain circumstances. Some problems are temporary or beyond an individual's control. For example, a person who loses a job may need to accept their financial situation for a short period while looking for another opportunity. Similarly, people may have family responsibilities that prevent them from immediately changing their jobs or moving to another place. Accepting reality can also help people remain calm and avoid making careless decisions.

On the other hand, there are several reasons why people should try to improve their circumstances. Firstly, taking action can lead to better opportunities and greater satisfaction. For instance, someone who is unhappy with their job could develop new skills, gain qualifications or search for a different position. Secondly, people who actively deal with financial difficulties may find ways to increase their income or reduce unnecessary expenses. In this way, taking positive steps can gradually improve both their financial situation and quality of life.

In my opinion, people should not simply accept an unsatisfactory situation if there are realistic ways to change it. Although patience and acceptance are sometimes necessary, making reasonable efforts to improve one's circumstances is more likely to result in long-term happiness and success.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are relevant and supported with logical examples, such as the mention of developing new skills or managing financial expenses. The development is balanced, with each viewpoint receiving a dedicated paragraph. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more nuanced or specific real-world examples to further extend the arguments, as the current examples are somewhat generic. However, the task is fully addressed with a clear, logical progression of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to link ideas, such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', 'Firstly', and 'In this way'. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits of acceptance to the benefits of proactive change. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct viewpoints. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between sentences is clear. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific language such as 'difficult circumstances', 'financial difficulties', 'unnecessary expenses', and 'quality of life'. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' idiomatic expressions that would characterize a band 8 or 9. However, there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the academic context well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional clauses ('if there are realistic ways to change it') and concessive clauses ('Although patience and acceptance are sometimes necessary'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over grammar is strong, with no significant errors that cause confusion. While the range of structures is solid, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more varied sentence types or advanced grammatical forms to demonstrate greater flexibility.

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

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