Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-04

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 believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as unsatisfactory job or lack of money, whereas others argue that it is better to try and improve such circumstances. In the following essay both of these views will be discussed and explained why I lean towards improving situations.

On one hand, some people have submitted to their bad situations and are accustomed to have unsatisfactory job or lack of money. There can be many reasons for such development such as lack of ambitions, opportunities, and employment. At present time there are a lack of jobs and a lot of unemployed people, therefor people are forced to work despite there interest to make a living and to sustain their family or themselves. Other reason can be incompetent government due to which there is not enough jobs and informal sector exploit the worker class. For example, a lot of people in India are paid below minimum wages in informal factor for long working hours and no insurance. Due to lack of alternative jobs they are helpless and accept there situations for the sake of survival.

On the other hand, some argues that it is better to try and improve their situations. World is developing at a terrifying pace due to which standard of living risen considerable. Also the prices of basic necessities such as food, shelter and transport are rising daily due to which people are not able to afford these things. In this situation if people do not strive to aim bigger and achieve more they will be swept up in the rising trends. Moreover having a job they like and earn enough money is good for their survival.

In my opinion, instead of accepting that they are satisfied with there life they should strive to achieve there dreams and uplifting themselves in social hierarchy to enjoy more benefits as they should.

In conclusion, people should not be contended with the bare minimum and should do everything in there power to improve their situations and live a happy and fulfilling life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and state a clear preference for improving difficult circumstances, particularly in the introduction and conclusion. The discussion of acceptance is supported with relevant reasons, including limited employment and the need to support a family, and the India example makes this point more concrete. However, the case for trying to improve one’s situation is less fully developed: rising living costs and the benefits of better work are mentioned, but there is little explanation of practical ways people might improve their circumstances or a specific supporting example. The opinion is clear, though the claim that people should do “everything” to improve their lives could be qualified to recognise real constraints. Developing the second view more evenly would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, your opinion, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” helps readers follow the discussion. Within paragraphs, however, some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “At present time” introduces a related point, but the connection between unemployment and the claim about government responsibility could be explained more smoothly. The second body paragraph also moves from development to prices and then to job satisfaction without fully showing how each point supports the argument. Use clearer references and transitions between related ideas, and organise each paragraph around a central claim followed by explanation and evidence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of topic vocabulary, including “informal sector,” “minimum wages,” “standard of living,” and “social hierarchy,” which helps discuss employment and financial hardship. There are also attempts at less common expressions, but several choices or forms are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “terrifying pace,” “standard of living risen considerable,” and “contended with the bare minimum.” Repetition of “situations” and “improve” also limits flexibility. These issues do not prevent the main message from being understood, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Choose collocations carefully and check word forms: for example, “rapid pace,” “has risen considerably,” and “content with the bare minimum” would express the intended meanings more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “whereas,” “due to which,” and “if,” so there is some structural variety. However, errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “there are a lack of jobs,” “standard of living risen,” and “some argues”; these should be revised to ensure the subject and verb agree and that required auxiliaries are present. Article and plural forms also need attention, as in “unsatisfactory job” and “informal factor.” Some long sentences, particularly the one beginning “At present time,” combine several ideas and become difficult to control. Practise checking each clause for a clear subject and finite verb, and use punctuation to separate connected points.

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