Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

People inevitably encounter circumstances they would rather change, whether these involve financial hardship or an unfulfilling career. While some believe that accepting such situations is the wisest course of action, others argue that individuals should strive to improve them. Although acceptance can be justified when alternatives are limited, I believe that people should ultimately seek to exercise greater control over their circumstances.

There are occasions when acceptance is not merely sensible but necessary. A person in financial difficulty, for example, may have little choice but to remain in a poorly paid job if it provides a dependable income. Resigning without securing an alternative could jeopardise their ability to meet essential expenses, thereby turning an unsatisfactory situation into a genuine crisis. In circumstances such as these, temporarily accepting one’s position while preparing for a better opportunity is a prudent form of risk management rather than passive resignation.

Nevertheless, when viable opportunities for improvement exist, prolonged acceptance can become counterproductive. Someone who remains in an unrewarding occupation for years may gradually lose motivation, stagnate professionally and become increasingly reluctant to pursue change. Financial hardship can likewise be addressed through deliberate measures, such as acquiring valuable skills, developing an additional source of income or pursuing more secure employment. While none of these strategies guarantees immediate success, they can expand an individual’s options and, over time, transform circumstances that once appeared insurmountable.

Ultimately, difficult circumstances sometimes have to be tolerated when immediate change would entail disproportionate risks. However, acceptance should serve as a temporary response, not a permanent philosophy. Where realistic avenues for improvement are available, taking measured and persistent action is more likely to produce lasting financial security, professional fulfilment and personal autonomy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the necessity of acceptance in certain contexts and the benefits of proactive change—while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal opinion throughout. The ideas are logically developed, such as the distinction between 'prudent risk management' and 'passive resignation'. The argument is balanced and the conclusion effectively synthesises the two views, providing a clear final stance. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt without any irrelevant information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using effective signposting language such as 'Nevertheless' and 'Ultimately'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, such as 'In circumstances such as these' and 'While none of these strategies guarantees...'. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. The flow of ideas is seamless, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a wide range of vocabulary with precision and sophistication. Phrases like 'prudent form of risk management', 'disproportionate risks', and 'personal autonomy' demonstrate a high level of lexical control. The word choices are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling, and the vocabulary is varied enough to convey complex ideas effectively without repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and varied sentence lengths. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation is excellent. The use of complex structures, such as 'Someone who remains in an unrewarding occupation for years may gradually lose motivation...', is handled with high accuracy. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication or distract the reader.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.