Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-31

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)

Some people believe that it is best to accept a bad suituation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. While others contend that is is better to try and improve such situations, I believe that both views has its own benefits and potential downsides.

Unsatisfactory job or shortage of money is the core contributor of societal problems. A majority of the reported cases that tend to bring a bad reputation to communities has always being an aftermath of lack of money or unsatisfactory jobs which has always not being the employees preferences. For instance, most kidnappers normally demand for ransom when a person is kidnapped which suggest that lack of money is the trigger of societal problems.

By contrast, unsatisfactory job or shortage of money can be a great means to improve adaptability in a difficult situation while also learning contentment. Despite not liking a job, it brings small monetary returns which can be a great source of motivation and encouragement to continue pushing oneself to do better with the job and in turn learns how to be comfortable in difficult situations that life throws at us, it teaches you how to live in difficult times. Also, lack of money can result to contentment if experienced for a long time. For example, I have been working as an intern for a very long time with a pay, though I was frustrated with the job, but overtime i became contented.

In conclusion, it is undoubtedly clear that unsatisfactorily jobs or lack of funds are the key triggers of societal menace. However, it is evident that it also provides small advantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You introduce both positions and state that each has benefits and downsides, but this does not give a clear answer about which view you support. The discussion is also uneven: the first body paragraph focuses on crime and ransom rather than explaining why people might accept a difficult situation, while the next paragraph gives some reasons for acceptance, such as learning contentment. The example about your internship is relevant, but it does not explain how someone might actively improve their circumstances, so a major part of the task is missing. The conclusion repeats the claim that hardship can cause social problems and offer small advantages without resolving your position. The response is 243 words, seven words below the 250-word minimum; develop both views and state your opinion clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the contrast marker “By contrast” helps signal a shift. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow because the first body paragraph does not clearly discuss accepting a bad situation, and the second mainly develops acceptance rather than the opposing view of trying to improve circumstances. Some links between claims are also unclear: the example about kidnappers does not adequately connect to the point about unsatisfactory jobs. The conclusion introduces no clear resolution of the discussion. To improve, give each body paragraph a distinct purpose, use examples that directly support its main idea, and make the relationship between each claim and its evidence explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt some topic-related vocabulary, including “adaptability,” “contentment,” “motivation,” and “societal problems,” which gives you a useful starting range. However, several choices are inaccurate or awkward and sometimes make the intended meaning less clear. For example, “the core contributor of societal problems” and “key triggers of societal menace” are unnatural collocations, while “small monetary returns” does not clearly express the point about keeping a job. There are also spelling and word-form slips, such as “suituation” and “unsatisfactorily jobs.” Aim for precise, natural phrases rather than elevated wording that does not fit the context; this will make your argument clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including a concessive opening with “Despite not liking a job” and a longer sentence explaining how work may encourage someone to keep trying. However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to process. For example, “While others contend that is is better” is an incomplete contrast construction with a repeated verb, and “A majority … has always being” has problems with agreement and verb form. In “it teaches you,” the pronoun shifts from the general subject to direct address, and the long sentence beginning “Despite not liking a job” has unclear clause structure. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, verb forms, and sentence boundaries before adding more complex structures.

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