Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13
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)
As far as this topic is concerned, some people believe that it is better to accept a bad situation, while others think that people should try to improve it. In my opinion, although accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be practical, trying to improve it is a better approach.
On the one hand, accepting an unsatisfactory situation can reduce stress and disappointment. Some situations are difficult to change, and people may waste their time and energy by constantly worrying about them. For example, if a person has financial problems, accepting the situation temporarily can help them remain calm and focus on their basic needs. Moreover, people may need to accept certain situations until better opportunities become available.
On the other hand, trying to improve a bad situation can lead to a better future. People can develop new skills, search for better jobs or start a small business to improve their financial condition. For instance, someone who is unhappy with their job can take professional courses and apply for better positions. In this way, taking action can increase confidence and improve a person's quality of life.
In conclusion, although accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be necessary, I believe that trying to improve it is more beneficial. People should accept circumstances that cannot be changed immediately, but they should continue making efforts to create better opportunities for the future.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both views regarding whether to accept a bad situation or try to improve it, and a clear position is presented throughout, culminating in a balanced conclusion. Main ideas are supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning financial problems and taking professional courses. However, there is a significant constraint: the response contains only 228 words, which fails to meet the minimum requirement of 250 words. This negative word count necessitates a penalty under Task Achievement, bringing the score down despite the generally clear reasoning and adequate coverage of the prompt's requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The text is logically organised with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs exploring opposing views, and a succinct conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments, such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Paragraphing is logical, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. Referencing throughout the essay is clear and easy to follow. While the structural progression is somewhat standard, the overall arrangement is coherent, well-managed, and facilitates smooth reading from start to finish.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with some precision, employing terms such as 'unsatisfactory situation', 'financial condition', and 'professional courses'. Word choice is generally appropriate and allows the writer to convey their ideas clearly. While there is an attempt to use less common items like 'temporarily', 'disappointment', and 'beneficial', the vocabulary remains relatively standard and lacks the more sophisticated, flexible range characteristic of higher bands. Nevertheless, spelling and word formation are accurate throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional-like clauses and subordinate clauses such as 'although accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be practical, trying to improve it is a better approach' and 'if a person has financial problems, accepting the situation temporarily can help them remain calm'. Grammatical control is strong, with the vast majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and structure the sentences properly, showing good command of basic and complex grammatical forms.
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