Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04

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)

Nowadays, it is often argued that people should either accept difficult situation or try to improve them. People hold different views about this matter. I personally believe that people should make efforts to improve their bad situations because it can lead to a better future.

To begin with some peopl believe that accepting a bad situation is the best choice. This is because sometimes people do not have many opportunities to change their life. For instance, people are doing very low paying job just to support their families. If he leaves the job, he may become unemployed. Overall, accepting the situation can make people relax.

On the other hand, I would also like to talk about the people who works hard to improve themselves .This is because hard work can make people more successful, For instance, if someone studies new skills he can find a better job with higher salary. Furthermore, trying to solve problems can increase confidence and make people more successful.

Although accepting a bad situation may be fruitful in some cases, these issues can be reduced if people try their best to improve themselves. I personally believe that people should not give up easily because every problem has a possible solution. If people continue working hard, they can make their future better. People get fed up after paying very little efforts due to which they cannot become successful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay falls short of the 250-word requirement, which limits the depth of the discussion. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat under-developed. For example, the argument regarding accepting a bad situation is supported by a brief example, but it lacks a more nuanced exploration of the psychological or economic trade-offs. Similarly, the argument for improvement is clear but remains quite general. To reach a higher band, you should expand your supporting points with more detailed explanations and ensure the essay meets the minimum length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore', which help guide the reader. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. Referencing is generally clear, though some transitions feel a bit abrupt. The paragraphing is appropriate, but the overall progression of ideas could be more sophisticated to achieve a higher score. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring they connect ideas more naturally would enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'unemployed', 'salary', and 'opportunities'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a tendency to repeat basic words. There are also minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'paying very little efforts' instead of 'making very little effort'. To improve, try to incorporate a wider range of less common lexical items and ensure they are used in the correct context. Focusing on collocations and more precise synonyms will help you demonstrate a more flexible and sophisticated command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('some peopl believe', 'people who works hard') and punctuation errors. Some sentences are also slightly awkward in their construction. Despite these errors, the meaning is generally clear and communication is not impeded. To achieve a higher band, you need to increase the frequency of error-free sentences and demonstrate better control over complex grammatical structures. Proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and pluralisation errors would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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