Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-28
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 5.5)
People have different views about how individuals should deal with difficult circumstances such as unsatisfactory jobs or financial problems. Some believe people should accept the situation while i believe people should make efforts to improve.
One one hand, accepting the difficult situation is sensible option sometime as the some problems are temporary or beyond a persons control and always worrying about them may create unnecessary stress. For example, if someone losses a job during an economic recession and is difficult to find another opportunity immediately then he/she should accept the situation and manage the expenses smartly and should wait until better time comes.
People who are dissatisfied with their job should develope new skill, gains certifications and search for alternative and good opportunities. People in such condition should avoid unnecessary spending. For instance a person working in a low paying position should develope necessary skills and try to obtain good high paying job.
In my opinion, acceptance is useful when a problem cannot be changed immediately, but it should not become a permanent. People should recognise their problems realistically and then take practical steps to improve them whenever possible. This approach combines the peace of mind that comes from acceptance with the benefits of personal effort and ambition.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the discussion. While the ideas are relevant, they are not fully developed or extended. For instance, the paragraph on improving situations is quite brief and lacks a concrete example of how one might realistically overcome a financial or career hurdle. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more detailed explanations and illustrative examples to meet the length requirement and demonstrate a more thorough exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'On one hand' and 'For instance', which help guide the reader. However, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is somewhat abrupt. Additionally, the use of cohesive devices is occasionally mechanical. To reach a higher band, ensure that your sentences are linked more fluidly and that you use a wider variety of cohesive devices to connect your ideas more naturally throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher score. There are several spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'develope' (develop), 'gains' (gain), and 'losses' (loses). Furthermore, the phrasing is often repetitive, such as the repeated use of 'people' and 'situation'. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated synonyms and collocations, and ensure you proofread carefully to eliminate basic spelling mistakes that detract from the professional tone of your writing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'is sensible option sometime' (is a sensible option sometimes), 'a persons control' (a person's control), and 'better time comes' (better times come). There are also issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on mastering basic sentence construction and punctuation before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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