Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-08

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 views and give your own opinion.

 

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Life sometimes puts us in harsh times where we find ourselves powerless and even hopeless. In this type of situation, each person has his own way of thinking.

To start with, some people actually may think that this is their fate and schould accept it. They don't try to change, they don't even care if there's actually a solution or a way out of it.

They think acceptance may improve their situation by ignoring every bad aspect to help them detach from their reality.

On the other hand, there are many people that

cannot easily give up and let themselves be victims of the bad situation they found theirselves in. Quite opposite, their situation is different. They most likely tend to try and try several times in hope of getting out and hunt the big change. They have another view that life is all about taking risks. So instead of giving up on changing, improving and seaking for happiness and blessings, they should never be hopeless and accept what they're suffering from.

In my opinion, i actually can understand both situations. One being acceptent and doesn't want to take the risk of stepping out the comfort zone, while the other one can't take the risk of suffering and not stepping out the circle for the change. But to be honest, i find myself more with the second situation. For me, it is true that accepting and being fine with what you find yourself in , may be peacefull for your mind and not being bothered by the truth of its actual damage, but life for me isn't meant for giving up even if it's pushing us to try or improve the situation. When we are alive , we should live our life in the most beautiful way. If something irritating or uncomfortable is happening, sure we shouldn't accept it, we should fight back. Thats how life works for me.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both responses to difficult circumstances and make your preference clear: you understand acceptance, but identify more with trying to change things. This addresses the main parts of the prompt. However, the discussion remains general and does not explain the views through the specific examples in the question, such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money. The reasons for accepting a situation—such as avoiding risk or preserving peace of mind—are mentioned but not developed, and the case for taking action relies mainly on broad statements like “life isn’t meant for giving up.” To strengthen the response, explain the likely benefits and drawbacks of each approach and support your opinion with a concrete example or consequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph for each view, and a final paragraph giving your opinion. Signposts such as “To start with” and “On the other hand” help readers follow the contrast. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear, and ideas are repeated rather than developed—for example, the final paragraph returns several times to accepting or changing a situation without adding a distinct reason. Some references are also difficult to follow, as in “their situation is different,” which does not clearly identify whose situation is meant. Organise each body paragraph around one main reason, then explain it and give an example; use linking phrases selectively so the connections feel precise rather than repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary to express attitudes and hardship, including “powerless,” “hopeless,” “take risks,” and “comfort zone.” This gives you enough language to communicate the central ideas. However, the range is limited by repeated general words such as “situation,” “change,” and “life,” and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “hunt the big change,” “seaking for happiness,” and “acceptent.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning harder to understand. Build a more precise set of expressions for discussing work, finances, and decision-making, and check spelling and natural word combinations. For example, describe someone as “seeking a better opportunity” rather than “hunting the big change.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses with “where,” “while,” and “even if,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, control is inconsistent, particularly in longer sentences and sentence boundaries. For instance, “They don’t try to change, they don’t even care…” joins two independent clauses with only a comma, while “One being acceptent and doesn’t want…” is an incomplete construction. There are also errors in agreement and sentence formation, as in “each person has his own way” followed by inconsistent references, and “When we are alive, we should live our life.” Aim to make each sentence complete, check subject–verb agreement and pronoun reference, and use shorter sentences when a longer structure becomes difficult to control.

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.