Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-12

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 5.0)

It is argued that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money, however others argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.

The first view on the situation is quite distinct, accept a bad situation is not an easy decision, but it makes person free from the making some steps in attempt to change something. Moreover, obstacles frequently don't depend upon our wishes. For example, person hates the atmosphere at the office and therefore, hates the job. Work is daily unsatisfactive, but this person has a huge salary which is really important to have with a large family.

At the same time, the statement about how better it is to try and improve situations such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money because this situation can lead not only to financial or communication problems, but also to a mental brakedown which cause damadge that can't be undone. It's vital to prevent your mental health from this kind of issues.

In my opinion, it's obvious that bad sutuation can't ever be acceptable. There no situations in this world which can't be improved by making a decent effort to change it. This situations are always difficult otherwise they won't considered "bad", but this is exactly the main point. It's hard to try and improve these situations, but it's not a miracle - it's a charecter, it's a mindset.

In conclusion, I don't just believe I know that attempts are better than acception.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and state a clear preference for trying to improve difficult circumstances, especially in “attempts are better than acception.” The example of someone staying in an unpleasant job because of a high salary and family responsibilities is relevant, and you also mention possible effects on mental health. However, the discussion is brief and the reasons are not developed enough: the benefits of accepting a situation are only partly explained, while the case for changing it relies mainly on a general claim that every bad situation can be improved. The response is 214 words, below the 250-word minimum; the 39 words copied from the prompt were not counted. Develop each view with fuller explanation and a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, your opinion, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “At the same time” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the discussion. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, and the links between claims are not always clear. For example, the first body paragraph moves from accepting a situation to feeling free from taking steps, then to workplace dissatisfaction and salary without fully explaining how these points connect. The opinion paragraph repeats the idea that situations can be improved rather than extending it. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each example explicitly to the point it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “obstacles,” “financial,” “mental health,” and “decent effort,” and the reader can generally understand your position. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make the writing less natural, such as “unsatisfactive,” “mental brakedown,” “damadge,” “sutuation,” and “acception.” Some phrases are also awkward, including “free from the making some steps” and “prevent your mental health from this kind of issues.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise language for the consequences of accepting or changing circumstances would also help you explain your ideas with greater clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in the opening and a clause beginning “which cause…” in the discussion of mental health. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to process. Examples include “accept a bad situation is not an easy decision,” “it makes person free,” and “There no situations,” where sentence structure, articles, or the verb are missing or incorrect. In “this situation can lead … to a mental brakedown which cause,” the relative clause also needs correct agreement and punctuation. Practise building accurate sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles, agreement, and clause boundaries before adding complexity.

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