Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-21

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)

Certain individuals have an opinion that an unfortunate situation should be normalised like having issues like an unhappy job or going through poverty. While some people believe that actions should be taken to upgrade such circumstances.

To begin with, enduring an unfortunate event in life and normalising it may be a wise affair if forcing change could make it worse. It is considered as a great risk for someone to change a scenario which is causing great affliction, as it might also make a person lose what bare minimum amount he already had. In cases like this, some may consider being grateful and cherishing the moments by being content. For example, a mutual friend of mine who had a minimum wage job suddenly planned to start a business hoping of increased income. This made conditions worse as his endeavour failed and he had nothing yo fall back to.

On the other hand, people who are more ambitious often tend to be stubborn towards an unfortunate event . They have enough grit to take the reigns in their own hands and get out of an undesirable condition. This kind of situation involves risk as well, though if taken in a calculated manner it usually succeeds. Also,as it is a calculated decision, there is usually a safety net to fall back on with minimum damage.

For example, a relative of mine who had a great idea to start a competing brand of the company he already worked at, succesfully managed to change his life. As he already knew the product and market well, this was a calculated risk.

In conclusion, it is advisable to have the motivation to change a current poor situation, if the change has more promise than chances of failure along with a cushion to fall back on.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—accepting a bad situation versus trying to improve it—and clearly states an opinion in the conclusion and body paragraphs. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant personal examples, such as the friend who failed a business venture and the relative who successfully launched a competing brand. However, the introduction is somewhat fragmented, with the first paragraph split into two very short sentences that do not properly set up the essay. Despite this minor structural flaw, the central arguments are fully relevant and logically presented, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear overall progression with a logical arrangement of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving from an introduction to the two opposing views, and finally to a balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to separate ideas. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as the pronoun use in 'he already had' and 'nothing yo fall back to' (which contains a minor typographical error 'yo'). Cohesion is sometimes slightly mechanical, but the logical flow remains clear throughout, supporting a solid Band 7 score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, employing terms like 'unfortunate situation', 'normalised', 'affliction', 'endeavour', and 'calculated risk'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some awareness of style and collocation. However, there are occasional awkward word choices and collocation slips, such as 'unhappy job' instead of 'unsatisfactory job' and 'stubborn towards an unfortunate event'. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, with only a minor typo ('yo' instead of 'to'). The lexical range is adequate to convey precise meanings, placing the response comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, solidifying a Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over relative clauses and conditional-like structures, such as 'enduring an unfortunate event in life and normalising it may be a wise affair if forcing change could make it worse.' There is a good variety of complex structures used throughout the body paragraphs. While there are a few grammatical errors and awkward phrasings—such as 'Certain individuals have an opinion that an unfortunate situation should be normalised like having issues like...' and the slightly clunky phrasing 'take the reigns' (reins)—these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are grammatically sound, meriting a Band 7.

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