Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-11
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)
Numerous individuals argue that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money. Others believe that it is better to try to improve such situations. In my opinion, it is generally better to improve the bad situation, although some things cannot be changed and have to be accepted as they are.
On the one hand, most of the individuals are not satisfied with their jobs, and they do not even get paid well for all the work they do. They have to listen to their superiors every day and work according to them, which makes them so frustrated sometimes, and the working hours are also so hectic that a person can't even focus on themselves. But sometimes you have to accept a bad situation and keep on working because if a person is married and has children, you need money or a stable job to provide them with proper food and shelter. A family person can't quit his job easily because he has a family to raise and look out for. That is why sometimes it is best to accept a bad situation.
On the other hand, an individual can train themselves and improve such situations. They can open a business and can work according to themselves and don't have to take the stress of anything. If you have your own company, you can come to work at any time you want. But for that, it is better to keep trying and keep improving as a person to have all these achievements in your life and never face a shortage of money.
To sum up, I believe trying to improve a bad situation is usually better than simply accepting it.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You discuss both views and state a clear preference for improving a bad situation, while acknowledging that some circumstances must be accepted. The example of a parent needing stable work and income is relevant support for acceptance. However, the discussion is only partly developed: the reasons for improving a situation rely mainly on starting a business and enjoying greater freedom, without considering practical obstacles or other ways to improve circumstances. The claim that this can mean “never face a shortage of money” is also too absolute. Develop each side with more balanced explanation and examples, and make the conclusion reflect the nuance in your opening position. The response meets the task’s length requirement; 23 words copied from the prompt were not counted.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “To sum up” help signal the main stages, so the reader can follow the overall argument. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes loose. In the first body paragraph, the discussion moves from poor pay and demanding work to family responsibilities without clearly linking these points. The second paragraph also shifts quickly from training to opening a business and then to avoiding financial hardship. Some linking is repetitive or mechanical. Organise each body paragraph around a clear main reason, then explain and illustrate it before moving to the next point.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use enough vocabulary to communicate the topic, including relevant terms such as “unsatisfactory job,” “stable job,” “superiors,” and “shortage of money.” There is some attempt at more specific language, but the range is limited and several expressions are repetitive or imprecise. For example, “bad situation” recurs, while “work according to them” and “take the stress of anything” are not natural collocations in this context. “Working hours are also so hectic” uses a word that does not fit the meaning. These choices do not prevent understanding, but they reduce precision and fluency. Build a wider set of natural phrases for workplace pressure, financial security, and taking steps to improve one’s circumstances.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including conditional reasoning such as “if a person is married and has children” and a concession in the introduction. Meaning is generally understandable, but control is uneven, particularly when sentences become long or shift between general and direct address. For example, “if a person is married and has children, you need money” changes from “a person” to “you,” and “They can open a business and can work … and don’t have to take” combines subjects and verb forms inconsistently. The sentence beginning “They have to listen to their superiors” also joins several ideas without clear punctuation. Use consistent subjects and divide long sentences into clearer units; practise accurate parallel verb structures.
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