Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-27

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)

In recent years, there has been considerable debate about whether accept a bad situation or work hard to improve the situations. While some people argue that to accept what they have, others believe that they can change the situation if they try to improve. Although both views have some merit, I believe that work hard with dedication and punctuality can develop one's situation.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why some people believe that what they have it is because of their faith. The primary reason is that they does not want to work hard. This is mainly because they do not have a good future goal. For example, a student get lowest mark continuously in math but because of laziness he does not see his mistakes. As a result, his result stuck in a lowest mark. Another argument in favour of this view is that they soes not have any proper strategy to overcome the situations, which can demotivate them not to try again and solve the problem.

Conclusion On the other hand, others argue that they can improve their situation. One major reason for this view is that they have proper strategy and plans to incrase the money and unsatisfactory job. In other words, they have the faith that if they properly think they can overcome the situation. For instance, when Robert Bruce lost his kingdom he tried again and again to brought back his kingdom. Consequently, he became successful in his seventh attempt . Furthermore, supporters of this perspective point out that they have the mindset and self belief that if they try hard they can improve the situation. Although this argument is valid to some extent, I believe that try again and again can improve any conditions.

In conclusion, both views have their own merits. While accepting the stuation can satisfy one, try to improve the situation is more likely to increase the money and satisfactory job. Overall, I strongly believe that have a winning mindset can develop ones's situation because they have proper plans, strategies and strong mindset.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both views and state a consistent preference for trying to improve one’s circumstances, particularly in the introduction and conclusion. The examples of the student’s repeated low maths marks and Robert Bruce’s persistence are relevant, and they help illustrate your points. However, the discussion of accepting a bad situation is not fully aligned with the prompt: you suggest people accept circumstances because of faith or unwillingness to work, rather than explaining why acceptance might be sensible, such as when a situation cannot readily be changed. The reasons for improving a job or financial position are also asserted more than explained. Develop each side with a clearer rationale and a specific, relevant example to make the response more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an introduction, separate discussion of the two views, and a conclusion, so the reader can identify its broad structure. Linking phrases such as “On the one hand,” “For example,” and “Furthermore” help signal relationships between ideas. However, progression is uneven: “Conclusion On the other hand” incorrectly places a conclusion marker at the start of the second body paragraph, and the paragraph then shifts to the opposing view. Several links are repetitive or unclear, including “As a result” and “Consequently” around examples that are not fully explained. References such as “they” and “this view” can also be difficult to follow. Use clear paragraph topic sentences, remove the misplaced marker, and connect each example explicitly to its main point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “strategy,” “overcome,” “demotivate,” and “self belief,” and the meaning is generally recoverable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are repeated, especially “improve the situation,” “try hard,” and “mindset.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “increase the money and unsatisfactory job,” “his result stuck in a lowest mark,” and “brought back his kingdom.” There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “incrase,” “stuation,” and “ones's.” These issues sometimes make the intended meaning less clear. Build a wider set of precise phrases for employment, finances, acceptance, and persistence, and check spelling and collocations when editing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including a concession structure beginning “Although both views have some merit” and a conditional idea with “if they try to improve.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to process. Examples include “whether accept a bad situation,” “they does not want,” and “a student get lowest mark,” where verb forms, agreement, or sentence structure are faulty. The sentence “Although this argument is valid to some extent, I believe that try again and again can improve any conditions” also needs a grammatical subject and more controlled phrasing. Practise forming complete clauses, matching subjects and verbs, and using articles and plural nouns accurately. Then proofread each sentence for a clear subject, verb, and logical connection.

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