Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-26

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)

It is often argued that people should accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money, while others think that it is better to try and improve such circumstances. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe that people should make efforts to improve their situations in order to achieve a better quality of life.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why accepting a difficult situation can be a sensible choice. First and foremost, the reason is that some people will have financial responsibilities towards their families. So, these people try to accept the bad situation, such as low pay and dissatisfaction at job, to support their families financially. Moreover, these people receive a stable income, which is useful for food, housing and other expenses. In addition, if the company is well-reputed and gives the employee more experience, they usually stay with the company despite the low pay. For instance, a person who is the breadwinner of the family may not be able to quit their job, even though they dislike it, because finding another job could take several months. Therefore, accepting a difficult situation like a shortage of money and an unsatisfactory job can sometimes provide financial stability and useful experience.

On the other hand, others believe that trying to improve one's circumstances is a more beneficial approach in the long term. People who actively seek improvement can develop new skills and gain better career opportunities. For example, an employee who is unhappy with their salary can attend professional courses, improve their qualifications, and eventually apply for a higher-paying job. Furthermore, this can not only increase income but also enable them to provide greater financial support to their families. Similarly, people facing financial difficulties can learn better money management skills or develop additional sources of income. Hence, trying to improve circumstances can help them to be financially independent and overall standard of living.

In conclusion, although accepting a bad situation may sometimes be necessary because of financial responsibilities and the need for stability, I believe that people should try to improve their situations whenever possible. Developing skills and seeking better career opportunities can ultimately lead to greater financial security and a more satisfying life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with logical examples, such as the breadwinner scenario and the concept of professional development. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be slightly more nuanced; for instance, exploring the psychological impact of accepting a bad situation versus the risks involved in trying to change it would add more depth. Overall, the response is well-structured and fully meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different arguments. While the flow is logical, some of the cohesive links are slightly mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'these people' to refer back to the subject. Increasing the variety of referencing and substitution would improve the sophistication of the cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient to convey ideas with precision. The student uses topic-specific language such as 'financial responsibilities', 'breadwinner', 'professional courses', and 'financially independent'. There is an attempt to use less common items, though some collocations could be more natural, such as 'dissatisfaction at job' (should be 'dissatisfaction with a job'). The range is adequate for the task, and errors in word choice do not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on more precise collocations and a wider range of academic synonyms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and complex structures are generally used correctly, such as the conditional sentence in the second paragraph. However, there are occasional minor errors, such as 'overall standard of living' which lacks a verb or preposition to connect it to the previous clause. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The control of grammar is sufficient to ensure that the meaning is always clear to the reader.

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