Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-16

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)

It is often argued that accepting a bad situation such as an unsatisfactory job or shotage of money is a better option to pass the time temporarely while on the other hand some peoples view is its netter to try and improve such situation,In my opinion they both are right in their prespective lets shed light on the topic.

Firstly talking about accepting a bad situation depends on the scenario,if its like a person is unemployed and didnt getting a job of his mean then,i think accepting the challenging situation he must do some odd jobs which are definetely unsatisfactory and dont pay well beside of staying enemployed and getting depressed.

While sheding light on improving the situation also depends on the scenario like if its easy for you to survive in that days when you are unemployed, eg you dont have a family you dont have such bills to pay then ill definetely prefer to improve the situation excpet doing odd jobs,

I have been in both phases there was a time in my life where my ego ruled me and my thinking was i will not do any kind of job,i will never work for anyoneill start my buissness and improve this situation but with the passage of time i understood that accepting bad and challenging situations is the only choice,these situations are often unsatisfactory but the lessons you learn from here will help you all over your life and make you successful.

Always be ready to accept any challenge in life because life is a teacher and it teaches you lessons which nobody else could.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and give a personal position, using the example of taking temporary odd jobs while unemployed and your own experience of refusing work to start a business. These examples are relevant, and your conclusion expresses a clear lesson about facing difficult circumstances. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the reasons for accepting a bad situation and for actively improving it are not explored in enough detail, and the second view receives limited support. Your opinion also shifts: you initially say both views are right, but later conclude that accepting hardship is the only choice. Explain how these positions fit together and develop each view with clearer reasoning to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable sequence: an introduction, paragraphs considering each view, a personal example, and a concluding statement. This gives the reader some overall organisation. However, progression between ideas is not consistently clear. The second paragraph begins with “Firstly,” while the next uses “While shedding light,” and the personal example then introduces a different emphasis without clearly linking it to the earlier discussion. Some sentences contain several ideas joined together, making relationships harder to follow. Use paragraphing to separate the two views, your opinion, and the example, and make each paragraph develop one main point. More precise links between the example and your argument would also improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “unsatisfactory job,” “unemployed,” “challenging situation,” and “accepting” or “improving” a situation. These choices make the general subject understandable. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems reduce clarity, such as “pass the time temporarily,” “odd jobs,” “my ego ruled me,” and “the lessons you learn from here.” Frequent misspellings, including “shotage,” “temporarely,” and “buissness,” also make the writing less controlled. Aim for accurate, natural phrases such as “cope with financial hardship” and “seek better employment,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would help distinguish accepting circumstances from taking practical steps to change them.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with subordinate clauses, for example, “if you are unemployed” and the sentence beginning “I have been in both phases.” This shows an effort to express conditions and personal experience. However, the range remains limited, and complex sentences are often faulty or difficult to follow. Examples include “didnt getting a job,” “some peoples view is,” and “I will never work for anyoneill start my business,” where verb forms, sentence boundaries, and punctuation interfere with meaning. Agreement and sentence construction also need attention. Practise building shorter, complete sentences first, then combine them with accurate clauses. Use full stops and commas to separate ideas, and check verb forms and subject–verb agreement.

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