Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-16

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)

People have different views about how they should deal with difficult situation in life. Some believe that accepting an unsatisfactory situation is the best option, while others think people should make efforts to improve. This essay will discuss both the views nevertheless I strongly believe that people should at least try to improve situations whenever they have ability to do.

On the one hand, accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be practical. There are circumstances that people cannot easily control, such as unexpected financial problems or limited job opportunities. In such cases, constantly worrying about the situations may lead to stress without thinking about positive result. For instance, a person who is temporarily unemployed may need to accept their circumstances while managing their expenses and looking for suitable opportunities. Acceptance can therefore help people remain calm and make sensible decisions.

On the other hand, trying to improve a bad situation can lead to better long-term results. If people simply accept problems, they may miss opportunities to develop their lives. Someone who is unhappy with their job, for instance, can learn new skills, gain qualifications or search for another position. Similarly, a person experiencing financial difficulties could improve their situation by developing their skills or finding an additional source of income.

In conclusion, although accepting a bad situation can sometimes reduce stress, I believe that people should try to improve their circumstances whenever possible. Taking practical steps can create better opportunities and lead to a more satisfying life. As it can help people achieve a better and more positive future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on how to deal with difficult situations and clearly stating an opinion in the introduction and conclusion. For example, the writer explores the practical side of acceptance in the second paragraph, mentioning temporary unemployment, and discusses the benefits of striving for improvement in the third paragraph. The ideas are relevant, well-supported with suitable examples, and the position is consistent throughout. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, with appropriate signposting phrases such as "On the one hand" and "On the other hand" to guide the reader smoothly between contrasting arguments. Cohesive devices are used effectively, and paragraphing is logical. However, there is a minor error in cohesion in the final sentence where a fragment occurs ("As it can help people achieve a better and more positive future."), which prevents a higher score. Overall, cohesion is well managed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, with appropriate use of less common items such as "unsatisfactory situation," "temporarily unemployed," and "financial difficulties." Word choice and collocations are generally accurate, allowing the message to be conveyed with precision. While there is an occasional minor slip—such as the missing article in "how they should deal with difficult situation"—the vocabulary used is flexible enough to allow for clear expression, fitting the Band 7 criteria well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional structures ("If people simply accept problems, they may miss...") and relative clauses. There are frequent error-free sentences, and punctuation is generally well controlled. Grammatical errors are minimal, though there is a minor punctuation and fragment issue in the final paragraph ("life. As it can help..."). Control over grammar is strong and communication is never impeded, earning a solid Band 7.

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