Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-01

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)

There is a widespread belief that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as unsatisfactory employment or a lack of finances, while other individuals work hard to improve their situations. It entirely depends upon the person's judgement or their perspective on life.

Firstly, let's look at citizens who are unsatisfied with the nature of their work. For instance, in recent times, students are doing odd jobs just to meet their daily expenses. By doing this, they are not well satisfied, but they are doing it just for the money, by which they somehow manage their lifestyle. However, they should start a business from loans, which are a topic of discussion nowadays, provided by the state to deserving students or citizens.

On the other hand, I strongly believe that people should try to move beyond such situations. Instead of accepting a poor job, they can develop new skills in order to increase their income and improve their quality of life. For example, students could start a small business with the help of government loans, which are offered to deserving young people. This would give them a better income and more independence. Similarly, people from underprivileged areas who work hard and learn new skills often escape poverty, rather than accepting that they were born poor and cannot earn well.

In conclusion, although accepting a bad situation may be necessary in the short term, I believe that working hard to improve it is far better than complaining about it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response sits at this band because it only partially addresses all parts of the task. While the student attempts to discuss both views and presents a clear personal opinion, the length requirement is not met, as the response falls slightly short of the two-hundred-and-fifty-word minimum. Furthermore, the development of ideas is limited and somewhat repetitive. For instance, the discussion on students doing odd jobs in the second paragraph lacks clear progression and introduces somewhat confusing points, such as the sudden mention of loans, which are then repeated in the subsequent paragraph. To move up to a higher band, the writer must ensure the word count requirement is fully satisfied and extend each viewpoint with well-developed, distinct explanations and relevant examples rather than overlapping points.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

Coherence and cohesion sit at this level because there is a discernible overall arrangement and the response is divided into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is occasionally faulty. The essay uses some cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion', yet referencing and transitions between sentences can feel mechanical or unclear. For example, the transition from discussing students working odd jobs into the idea of state loans feels abrupt and disrupts the logical flow of the second paragraph. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to ensure that every paragraph builds smoothly upon the last, employing a wider variety of cohesive devices naturally and maintaining a clear, uninterrupted logical progression throughout the entire text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The lexical resource is adequate for the task, demonstrating a sufficient vocabulary range to communicate basic ideas, which places it at this band level. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary, such as 'underprivileged areas' and 'unsatisfactory employment', but there are noticeable limitations and occasional inaccuracies in word choice or collocation, such as 'a lack of finances' instead of a more natural phrasing. Additionally, vocabulary tends to be repetitive, relying on standard phrases. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate a broader and more flexible range of precise lexical items and idiomatic expressions with accurate word choice and collocation, while minimizing repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

Grammatical range and accuracy sit at this level because the writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'It entirely depends upon the person's judgement or their perspective on life' and conditional-like structures. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, but they rarely impede communication. For instance, phrases like 'students are doing odd jobs... they are not well satisfied' show minor awkwardness in structure and word form. To progress to a higher band, the writer must demonstrate a greater variety of complex structures with improved frequency of error-free sentences, ensuring absolute control over articles, prepositions, and clausal coordination.

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

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