Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-30
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)
While few of the citizens believe that it is better to come to terms with a bad circumstance, such as a job in which you have no interest in or financial issues, others assert that is is necessary to try and improve those issues. This essay will discuss both arguments and present my opinion on either of the thoughts below.
On the one hand, people want us to accept the bad situation that we are going through right now because they consider that thinking about such scenarios will not make us move forward in life. If a person does not have enough money but ended up in an unsatisfied job, they need to keep working there to maintain a living. They need to realize the condition they are in right now and move forward for a livelihood.
On the other hand, few citizens think that it is better to improve such conditions as they consider that it is the only way of survival. Instead of repeating a routine which makes you sick to your stomach, you can make it better by thinking about the benefits of having that job or the improvement of ones social skills through that job. Not only does it make you look forward for a new day, it will also help you ease your anxiety of earning quickly
In my opinion, many people in present generation end up going through a circumstance which is not of their liking. But it is necessary to work had during that time to live a better life. To make it less impossible we need to try and think of ways in which we can make those circumstances less worse.
In conclusion, though bad situations seem inevitable and burdensome, we need to look for the benefits and improvements that can be change those situations to make us go through them at ease.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument for accepting a bad situation is explained in a repetitive manner, focusing primarily on the need to 'maintain a living' without exploring the psychological or long-term implications. The second perspective is also slightly underdeveloped, as the suggestion to 'think about the benefits' of a job you dislike is not fully supported with concrete examples. To reach a higher band, you should aim to expand your points with more detailed reasoning and specific illustrations rather than repeating the same core idea in different words.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader. However, the flow within paragraphs is occasionally mechanical. For example, the transition between the idea of 'maintaining a living' and 'moving forward' in the second paragraph is slightly abrupt. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the phrase 'either of the thoughts below' in the introduction, which does not accurately refer to the preceding prompt. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'inevitable', 'burdensome', and 'circumstance'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and minor collocation errors, such as 'make those circumstances less worse' (which is redundant) and 'make us go through them at ease' (which should be 'with ease'). While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing will help improve your score in this area.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. Examples include 'a job in which you have no interest in' (the 'in' is redundant), 'is is necessary' (a typo), 'many people in present generation' (missing article 'the'), and 'work had' (should be 'hard'). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band. You should focus on proofreading for small errors like missing articles and prepositions to improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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