Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

It is argued that it is best to accept unsatisfied job or shortage of money rather than being unemployed. Others believe that it is better to try and improve such situations. I strongly believe that it is better to improve such situation. This essay will discuss the reasons for accepting unsuitable jobs and the possible ways of enhancing such circumstances.

On the one hand, survival motive is one of the major reasons individuals accept unwanted jobs. Most people accept unsatisfactory employment because that is the only way for them to survive and acquire basic services such as rent and electricity bills. For instance, high percentage of immigrants depend on hospitality or cleaning jobs for them to satisfy or purchase their basic needs. In addition, inadequate employment is another important factor that prevent residents from leaving unsatisfied jobs. In most countries the level of employment are very low which makes it difficult for a resident to leave their current job. As a result of this most people are stuck in their current occupations.

On the other hand, there are several ways of improving this situation which include creation of more employment opportunities by the government. If there are adequate occupation in a country residents will have variety of jobs to pick from. This may lead to the reduction of unsatisfied occupation in the country. Furthermore, acquiring knowledge about the skill in demand is another way people can move from their unwanted jobs. Learning more skills which employers cherish are some of the ways to more from low paying jobs to high earning jobs. For example, technological skills such as cyber security and data analysis are some of the most significant skill in demand in most countries engaging in those activities may increase employment opportunities and high earning occupations.

In conclusion, survival motive and lack of employment are the reasons most people accept unsuitable and low earning jobs. While adequate employment opportunities by the government and learning skills in demand are the ways of improving it.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—accepting a bad situation versus trying to improve it—and states a clear personal opinion. The introduction outlines the essay structure, though the phrasing 'unsatisfied job' contains a lexical slip. In the body paragraphs, the student explores why people accept unwanted jobs, such as survival and a lack of alternative employment, and provides relevant examples like immigrants in hospitality. However, the discussion regarding 'improving the situation' slightly misinterprets the prompt's second view. Instead of focusing on personal agency in improving a bad job or personal financial situation, the second body paragraph shifts primarily to government action and macroeconomic factors like creating employment and teaching tech skills. Nevertheless, the ideas are extended and supported adequately, placing the response solidly at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with distinct sections for each viewpoint and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'In addition', 'As a result of this', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional mechanical transitions prevent the essay from reaching higher bands. Overall, the organizational structure is sound, demonstrating clear progression throughout the text, warranting a Band 7.0 for this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'macroeconomic' concepts, 'hospitality', 'cyber security', and 'data analysis'. However, there are notable word-choice errors and awkward collocations throughout the text, such as 'unsatisfied job' instead of 'unsatisfying job', 'survival motive', and 'adequate occupation' instead of 'adequate occupations'. Spelling is generally accurate, but some lexical inaccuracies persist, such as writing 'more' instead of 'move'. While communication is never impeded, these frequent minor lexical slips keep the vocabulary score at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('If there are adequate occupation in a country...') and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the level of employment are very low', 'skill in demand'), missing articles ('high percentage of immigrants'), and pluralisation errors ('adequate occupation'). Despite these errors, the complex sentences do not impede communication, and the meaning remains clear throughout. This balance of mixed structures and frequent minor errors reflects the Band 6.0 descriptors.

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

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