Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25

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 6.5)

People have different views about whether it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job, or whether it is better to try to improve such situations. While there are valid arguments in favour of both perspectives, I believe that people should try to improve their circumstances because this can allow them to change their lives for the better.

On the one hand, supporters of the view that it is best to accept a bad situation argue that people should adjust themselves to their current circumstances. This is mainly because some individuals are less likely to take risks due to a fear of failure. As a result, they may accept their situation and believe that it is simply their fate. For instance, if someone has an unsatisfactory job as a manager, they may choose to remain in that position because they are afraid of losing their source of income. Therefore, there is some justification for preferring this approach.

On the other hand, those who believe that it is better to try to improve such situations argue that people can achieve their goals if they work hard and take appropriate action. One reason for this is that making positive changes can help people improve their lives and fulfil their dreams. For example, if Bill Gates had not tried to establish Microsoft, he might not have become one of the world's wealthiest people. Therefore, from this perspective, trying to improve a difficult situation can be seen as a reasonable approach.

Personally, I am more convinced by the view that people should try to improve their circumstances rather than simply accept them. The main reason is that taking action can provide people with opportunities to improve their lives, increase their income and achieve their ambitions. For example, if Haris Rauf had not worked hard to develop his cricketing skills, he might not have become a member of the Pakistan national cricket team. Therefore, I believe that making an effort to improve one's situation is the more beneficial approach.

In conclusion, both views have their own merits. However, I believe that trying to improve a difficult situation is more beneficial because it can help people improve their quality of life, achieve their ambitions and become more successful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

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 by examples, such as the mention of Bill Gates and Haris Rauf. While the arguments are logical, they could be further extended to reach a higher band; for instance, the discussion on 'accepting a bad situation' is somewhat brief and could explore the psychological or stability-based benefits in more depth. Overall, the task is well-handled with a clear structure and relevant content.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using standard cohesive devices like 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion.' The use of referencing is generally accurate, and the flow of information is easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and the personal opinion. To reach a higher band, the student could incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices to avoid a slightly formulaic structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for clear communication. The student uses some appropriate collocations such as 'valid arguments,' 'current circumstances,' and 'fulfil their dreams.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler vocabulary. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items and demonstrate a more precise awareness of style and collocation. The current level is functional and accurate but lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate, which ensures that the meaning is always clear. There is good control over punctuation and sentence construction. While the student uses complex structures effectively, such as conditional sentences ('if Bill Gates had not tried...'), the range of structures could be further expanded to include more varied subordinate clauses or inversion to demonstrate higher-level control. The current performance is solid and consistent.

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

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