Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-07

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)

Some people believe that the best way to cope with bad situation is to accept it, while others argue that the best way is to try and improve such conditions. This essay will discuss both views.

Ups and downs is a part of life. It is obvious that every person has some bad situations in life. These situation could be related to job satisfaction, financial issues or any other professional aspects. Some people believe that best solution of such situations is to accept them in the way they are. For example, if someone is unstaisfy with his job, the best solution of this problem is that to accept the situation. Moreover, if someone is facing any financial problem, he should accept it as his destiny. As this is the best and the only way to solve his problem.

On the other hand, some people have faith that if there is any worst condition in life, someone should try hard to solve that problem. For instance, if someone is facing any down phase of his life related to finance. He should try any other possible ways to earn. He should have learn new skills to make money and cope with the issue rather than accepting that situation. Additionally, if someone is not satisy with his job because of any reason. He might start to find new job and get this issue sorted out.

In my opinion, i think if someone is facing any problem either its related to job or money in his life. He should try to get solution of that problem rather then accepting it. He should have improve his weaknesses to overcome this issue, and this is the the best way to solve any problem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and state a clear preference for trying to improve a difficult situation, particularly in the final paragraph. The examples about changing jobs and learning skills to earn money are relevant to the question. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the case for acceptance is mainly presented as advice to accept one’s “destiny,” without explaining when acceptance might be sensible or what benefits it could bring. The improvement argument is also asserted more than explored, and the conclusion repeats your position rather than adding a reasoned summary. To develop the response further, explain the reasoning behind each view and support your opinion with a specific example or consequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a final paragraph giving your opinion. Signposting such as “On the other hand” helps readers follow the shift between positions, and the examples generally appear beside the point they illustrate. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes mechanical, with repeated patterns such as “if someone…” and “Moreover” or “Additionally” introducing points without showing how they relate. The opening paragraph also promises a discussion but does not preview your position. Some references, such as “this issue,” are broad. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and organise each body paragraph around a main reason followed by its consequence or example.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “financial issues,” “job satisfaction,” “new skills,” and “overcome.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are repeated, especially “bad situation,” “problem,” and “solve.” Some word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “down phase,” “accept it as my destiny,” and “get this issue sorted out.” Spelling errors in “unstaisfy” and “satisy” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise expressions and check spelling carefully; for example, distinguish between accepting circumstances temporarily and resigning yourself to them. This would make the discussion clearer and more natural without changing your central ideas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is limited, and errors recur in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence boundaries. For example, “Ups and downs is a part of life” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “These situation could be” needs a plural noun. “He should have learn new skills” uses an incorrect verb form, and “As this is the best and the only way to solve his problem” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence. The final paragraph also contains a run-on structure beginning “In my opinion, i think if…”. Practise building accurate complex sentences and proofreading each sentence for a complete main clause, agreement, and verb form.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.