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)

Few people believe that it is best to simply accept a bad situation in life, such as a shortage of money. Other people completely believe the opposite and argue that it is better to try to improve such situations. In this essay, I will discuss both views and explain why I believe the second opinion is better.

Firstly, simply accepting a difficult situation without making any attempts to change it may seem like the easiest way to avoid problems. If people continue living without trying to improve their situation, regrets can gradually become a habit, and over time, they may become lazy and lose their sense of purpose in life. They may start believing that their problems will disappear without any action from them. This kind of laziness can reduce people's motivation to make their lives better.

On the other hand, people who try to improve their situation, no matter how difficult it is, can become stronger and more confident. The motivation and determination to overcome problems can help people develop as individuals. For example, many successful athletes have faced difficult situations in their lives. Lionel Messi was born in Argentina and grew up in a working-class family without much wealth or many opportunities. However, over time, he overcame his difficulties and found his own path in football.

Overall, in my opinion, it is better to try to change a difficult situation even if the attempt does not work than to simply accept it and remain inactive, believing that someone else will solve your problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on accepting versus attempting to improve difficult situations, and clearly states the writer's own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are relevant and generally well-developed, particularly when discussing the psychological impact of resignation versus resilience. However, the development tends to be somewhat concise. The example provided of Lionel Messi illustrates the point about overcoming adversity, though a more direct professional or personal example related to financial shortage or job dissatisfaction could have extended the argument further. Overall, the task is addressed competently, fitting comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 profile for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression from introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the prompt. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'On the other hand', and 'Overall' are employed to guide the reader through the arguments, though referencing and transitions could be slightly more sophisticated. For instance, the transition between paragraphs relies on standard signposts rather than seamless semantic links. Nonetheless, the overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, representing a solid Band 7.0 performance for this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Phrases such as 'sense of purpose', 'working-class family', and 'overcome his difficulties' show an ability to use natural collocations. There are attempts at less common lexical items, though some expressions like 'regrets can gradually become a habit' are slightly unnatural in collocation. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication. While the vocabulary is sufficient for clear expression, it lacks the broader flexibility and precision required for higher band levels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The writer successfully uses conditional clauses ('If people continue living without trying to improve their situation...') and relative clauses. There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and grammatical control is generally strong throughout the response. Minor slips occur occasionally, but punctuation and syntax are handled well enough to ensure that meaning is never obscured. This level of grammatical control and variety aligns well with the descriptors for Band 7.0.

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