Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS REGARDING WHETHER ACCEPT A CRUCIAL SITUATION IS THE PROMINENT SOLUTION, LIKE UNSATISFACTORY JOB AND FINANCIAL PROBLEM OR IT IS BETTER TO TRY AND IMPROVE SUCH SITUAATIONS. THIS ESSAY WILL DISCUSS BOTH PERSPECTIVES BEFORE PRESENTING MY OWN OPINION.
ON THE ONE HAND, MANY INDIVIDUALS BELIEVE THAT ACCEPT A BAD SITUATION IS SIMPLE AND EASY WAY. ONE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT MANY PEOPLE FEAR TAKING RISK OR TRYING SOLVING PROBLEMS. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN PEOPLE FACE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES OR LESS INTERESTED JOB PLACEMENTS, THEY MAY PEFER SABILITY. FURTHERMORE, TRY TO CHANGE SITUATION INVOLVES STRESS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE. TO EXEMPLIFY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE LACK OF ABILITY TO HANDLE CRITICAL PHENOMENON AS WELL AS SOCIAL CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS THAT IS THE REASON AN EMPLOYEE WHO DISLIKES HIS JOB MAY CONTINUE WORKING BECAUSE HE IS AFRAID OF LOSING STABLE INCOME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, OTHER SOCIETY ARGUE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD TRY TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION. TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, TAKING PRACTICAL STEPS CAN CREATE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES, INCREASE CONFIDANCE AND PERONAL QUALITY. IN ADDITION, IN MY PERSPECTIVE, ALTHOUGH ACCEPTING THE CERTAIN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, PEOPLE SHOULD GENERALLY TRY TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITONS. FOR INSTANCE, MANY REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE ARE AVAILABLE WHO TRY CONTINUOUSLY LIFELONG TO BE SUCCESSFUL. ONE MOST PROMINENT EXAMPLE IS MS DHONI, HE TRY BUCKLE DOWN AND HE BECAME GRETEST CAPTAIN IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET. MANY SCIENTIST FAILED SEVERAL TIME DURING THEIR RESEARCH, BUT THEY TRYING AND ACHIEVED SUCCESS.
IN CONCLUSION, BOTH VIEWPOINTS HAVE THEIR OWN MERITS. WHILE ACCEPT UNLIKELY JOB AND FEEL VERY DISCONSOLATE DUE TO ECONOMIC PROBLEM IS INFLUENCE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT THE SITUATIONS. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BETTER AND IDEAL TO TRY.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—accepting a bad situation versus trying to improve it—and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion. Ideas are extended, such as explaining why some individuals fear change or highlighting examples like MS Dhoni. However, some arguments are slightly repetitive or under-developed, and the use of all-caps throughout the text detracts from the presentation. Overall, the content is relevant and meets the requirements for a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is structured into four distinct paragraphs, providing a coherent overall arrangement. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, referencing and transitions are at times mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'To exemplify, many people have lack of ability...', which affects the natural flow of ideas. Paragraphing is adequate, but internal cohesion requires better control to reach a higher band.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student attempts less common vocabulary, such as 'disconsolate', 'phenomenon', and 'merits'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, including phrases like 'accept a crucial situation' (instead of difficult or bad), 'try solving problems' (instead of trying to solve), and 'pefer sability'. There are also spelling errors like 'confidance' and 'peronal quality'. The lexical range is adequate for the task, but frequent inaccuracies keep it at Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating dependent clauses such as 'when people face financial difficulties'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with verb forms and infinitives, such as 'believe that accept a bad situation' instead of 'accepting', and 'he try buckle down' instead of 'he tried to buckle down'. Punctuation and article usage also show frequent inaccuracies that can occasionally cause difficulty for the reader.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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