Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-11

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 7.0)

Difficult times are an inevitable part of a person's life. One is bound to come across such times at least once in their lifetimes. It is how one chooses to face such situations is what sets apart one person from another. While some believe that it is best to accept such gruelling days as a part of one's life and move on hoping that these difficult times will eventually pass, in my opinion inorder for a person to truly grow he or she has to be proactive inorder to turn their situation around.

One of the primary reason why some critics accept that staying passive in the face of unavoidable hurdles should be the recommended course of action is that they believe that if one keeps their heads down in the face of despair and calmly weather the storm then these times will eventually pass. Just as scars fade over time these trying times will too pass. Furthermore, the hopelessness of the situation itself may make the one affected feel like there is no use in trying to go out of their way to do anything special for it will not make any difference rather their lifelihoods may be futher jeoperdized as a direct consequence. In many cases this is true for instance, in a toxic work environment there are recorded cases where employees facing harassment or unfair treatment from their superiors get fired themselves for reporting their superiors misdeed to management. Had they kept their heads down and continued to take the abuse maybe they would still have their job.

However, choosing to avoid the problem can never be a solution. Sure the situation might improve, however, it might also deteriorate further and thus continue to take a toll on the person's mental fortitude. As humans it is in our nature to make mistakes, learn from it; face our fears to move forward and grow as an individual. Instead of turtling down we should face the situation head on and actively try to deal with the situation in hand. If we do not even attempt to make things better how will be know whether it os futile or not? People who have overcome such trials can learn a lot from such an experience and in most cases these people are sure to be successful in their future endeavours. For instance, there are many athletes who despite facing extreme poverty, chose to take risks and follow in their dreams and eventually come out as a successful player. They are now able to provide for their families and thus have created an opportunity out of a hopeless situation.

Overall, while it is difficult for humans to come out of their shell and face their fears in the face of overwhelming adversary, I firmly believe that if one were to do so then that person is bound to get a positive outcome one way or another which is either their current situation will improve for the better or even if they fail then they can take that experience as a stepping stone for their future development as an individual.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses both views and gives a clear, consistent opinion: accepting hardship may sometimes protect a person from further harm, but taking action is generally preferable. The examples of employees facing retaliation and athletes overcoming poverty help explain the two positions, and the conclusion reinforces the writer’s stance. This fits a response that covers the task and supports its main ideas. To develop the discussion further, qualify broad claims such as people who overcome trials being “sure to be successful”; outcomes are not guaranteed, and the essay could distinguish situations where acceptance is sensible from those where change is realistically possible. More specific explanation of how the examples support the argument would also make the ideas more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear overall progression: an introduction presents the issue and position, two body paragraphs discuss the contrasting views, and the conclusion restates the opinion. Transitions such as “Furthermore,” “However,” and “For instance” help readers follow the argument, while the examples are placed in relevant paragraphs. This is a logical and easy-to-follow structure. At times, however, linking is somewhat formulaic, and some sentences carry several connected ideas, particularly in the paragraph beginning “One of the primary reason.” The repeated use of “situation” and “face” also makes connections less precise. Use clearer references to the specific hardship being discussed and divide long sentences where the reasoning shifts, so progression feels more controlled and less dependent on signposting.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonably broad range of vocabulary for the topic, including “proactive,” “mental fortitude,” “jeoperdized,” and “future endeavours.” Several expressions help convey the argument vividly, such as “weather the storm” and “stepping stone.” This shows an attempt to use less common language, though some choices are inaccurate or unnatural and prevent consistently precise expression. Examples include “turtling down,” “lifelihoods,” and “come out as a successful player”; “adversary” is also not the natural noun for hardship in this context. Spelling errors such as “futher” and “jeoperdized” further reduce control. Prefer accurate, natural collocations over elaborate phrasing, and proofread spelling and word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including conditional forms (“Had they kept their heads down…”) and subordinate clauses introduced by “while,” “if,” and “although.” Most of the argument remains understandable, and the longer sentences show ambition. However, some grammatical errors recur. For example, “One of the primary reason” needs plural agreement, and “It is how one chooses to face such situations is what sets apart…” has an incorrect clause structure. In “If we do not even attempt to make things better how will be know,” the question needs punctuation and a grammatical subject and verb. There are also inconsistent pronouns and agreement in places. Aim to make complex sentences accurate before adding further clauses, and check agreement, clause structure, and punctuation during revision.

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