Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-08

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 7.0)

People have different views about whether difficult circumstances should simply be accepted or be changed. While some believe that accepting an unsatisfactory situation is more practical, others argue that people should try to improve their circumstances. I believe that acceptance may sometimes be necessary in the short term, but people should generally attempt to create a better situation.

On the one hand, accepting a difficult situation can be sensible when circumstances are beyond a person’s immediate control. For example, someone who has financial responsibilities may have to remain in an unsatisfactory job because they cannot afford to lose their regular income. Similarly, a person living in an area with limited employment opportunities may have few alternatives. In such cases, accepting the situation temporarily can provide financial stability and prevent additional stress.

On the other hand, actively trying to improve one’s circumstances can produce important long-term benefits. If people simply accept problems, they may remain dissatisfied for years. For instance, an employee who dislikes their job could develop new skills, obtain additional qualifications and search for better employment. Likewise, someone experiencing financial difficulties could reduce unnecessary spending or seek an additional source of income. Although these steps require effort and may involve some risk, they can eventually lead to greater security and satisfaction.

In my opinion, acceptance should be considered a temporary option rather than a permanent solution. People should recognise the realities of their circumstances, but whenever they have a realistic opportunity to improve their lives, they should take it. Careful planning can allow them to make changes without taking unnecessary risks. However, I believe that people should make reasonable efforts to improve their circumstances whenever possible.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both views—the necessity of accepting difficult situations and the benefits of actively improving them—and provided a consistent personal opinion throughout. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as financial responsibilities and career development. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained logically through the body paragraphs to the conclusion. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong grasp of the prompt's requirements, meeting the criteria for a high band score by providing a thoughtful and well-supported argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', and 'In my opinion'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical and effective. The flow of the argument is easy to follow, and the relationship between the ideas is clearly established. The structure is coherent throughout, and the use of cohesive devices is natural and not mechanical, which supports the overall clarity of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'unsatisfactory situation', 'financial stability', and 'actively trying to improve' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is natural and conveys your meaning effectively. The vocabulary is consistently used in a way that supports the clarity and professional tone of the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If people simply accept problems, they may remain...') and concessive clauses ('Although these steps require effort...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no major errors that impede communication. To move to a higher band, you could aim for even greater flexibility in sentence construction and ensure that every complex structure is used with absolute precision. Overall, the grammatical control is very solid and supports the clarity of your arguments.

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