Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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 think that accepting an unpleasant situation such as unsatisfactory job is preferable, while others argue that it is more effective to try to develop it positively. As far as I concerned ,being in an adversing situation will affect peopol's mental health and restricts their abilities.

In one hand, people who are ready to be in a harmful situation such as a shortage of money and accept it willingly think that it's better to sacrifice their comfort and their hardworking rather then being unemployed, therefore they tend to accept anyhthing in then definition of "able to adapt", for instance social pressure will make them adhert trends to fit in the siciety not knowing that it will make them lose their true sleves, and due to this they find themselves exhausted without really paying attention to the source of this issue .

In the other hand , people who are in such bad situations and refuse to let it slide, they tend to have a stronger personality, and they don't accept for their abilities to be limitedvor reduced , therefore they stand to change their situation . For instance people who have low self confidence , wouldn't accept it and they'll try their best to reach confidence .

To sum up, the first category will joyfully be in a harmful situation due to pressure or the fear of not being accepted elsewhere , sacrificing their mental health and identity, while the second category of people will take steps to improve it to protect their goals and selves. I believe that knowing that being able to complain and demand your needs is much more better than following the movement

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and make your preference for improving a difficult situation apparent, especially in the conclusion: “being able to complain and demand your needs” is presented as preferable to simply following others. However, the discussion only partly addresses the specific examples in the prompt. The first body paragraph shifts from accepting an unsatisfactory job or financial hardship to social pressure and losing one’s identity, while the second uses low self-confidence as its main example. These points are relevant to coping with difficulty, but they do not explain clearly why someone might accept a bad job or shortage of money, or how they could improve those circumstances. Develop each view with a direct, realistic example and explain its consequences to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Phrases such as “In one hand,” “In the other hand,” and “To sum up” help signal the intended stages. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow. The first body paragraph moves from financial hardship to social pressure and identity without clearly connecting these ideas, and the final sentence ends with an unclear reference to “following the movement.” Some linking expressions are also used inaccurately or mechanically. Organise each body paragraph around one main reason, then explain and illustrate it in sequence; use clear references and a complete concluding statement so the reader can follow the argument more easily.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of topic-related vocabulary, including “mental health,” “sacrifice,” “social pressure,” “exhausted,” and “self confidence.” These choices show an effort to express ideas beyond basic statements. However, noticeable spelling and word-choice errors sometimes make the meaning difficult to understand, as in “adversing situation,” “adhert trends,” “siciety,” and “true sleves.” Several phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, including “develop it positively,” “in then definition of ‘able to adapt’,” and “following the movement.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise language for employment and finances—such as “remain in an unsatisfying job” or “improve one’s financial circumstances”—would also help you address the prompt directly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses linked with “while,” “therefore,” and “due to this.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors can make the reader work to understand the intended meaning. For example, “As far as I concerned” is missing a verb form, and “being in an adversing situation will affect peopol's mental health and restricts their abilities” has inconsistent verb structure. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction, such as “such as unsatisfactory job” and “people who are in such bad situations and refuse to let it slide, they tend to…”. Practise building complete sentences with consistent subject–verb agreement, and review punctuation around long clauses.

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.