Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-11
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)
some people believe that resigning oneself to adverse circumstance like finance hardship or a dead-end job promotes mental tranquility, other argue that talking proactive measures to alter these conditions is superior. in my opinion, while immediate acceptance prevents despair, striving for improvements is essential for ultimate personal fulfillment.
On the one hand, acknowledging limitations can guard against chronic stress. For instance, in a highly competitive job market, constantly fretting over low wages can damage mental health. accepting the current state allows a person to focus on emotional stability and contentment insead of enduring continuous disppoinment. by protect their mental health peace and avoid making rash decisions that could lead to complete financial ruin.
On the other hand, complacency breeds stangnation. humanity progresses through dissatisfaction. an employee who actively pursues upskilling or switches careers can achieve socioeconomic mobility proving that effort directly mitigates a shortage of money. overcoming such a hardship not only directly but foresters deep self confidence.
In conclusion, although accepting a grim reality can offer temporary emotional relief, i firmly believe that actively trying to improve ones prosperity and growth. I believe that a proactive approach focused on constant self improvement is essential for overcoming hardship and achieving true personal prsperity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum requirement (203 words). This lack of length prevents the development of ideas, resulting in a superficial discussion. While the main points are relevant, they are not fully extended or supported with sufficient detail. The conclusion is also grammatically incomplete, which further impacts the overall task completion. To improve, you must expand your arguments with more specific examples and ensure you meet the minimum word count to allow for a more thorough exploration of the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. You use some cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and there are instances where the flow is interrupted by grammatical errors or awkward phrasing, such as the sentence fragment in the final paragraph. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear, well-developed topic sentence that connects smoothly to the next.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'socioeconomic mobility,' 'complacency,' and 'stagnation' effectively. However, there are several spelling errors ('disppoinment,' 'stangnation,' 'prsperity') and minor word-choice issues, such as 'talking proactive measures' instead of 'taking.' While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they indicate a need for more careful proofreading. To improve, focus on using less common lexical items more accurately and ensure that your spelling is precise, as frequent errors can lower your score in this criterion.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that affect the clarity of your writing. For example, 'by protect their mental health peace' is grammatically incorrect, and the final sentence is an incomplete fragment. There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and missing articles. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents a higher score. You should focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and proofreading for common errors like missing prepositions or incorrect verb forms.
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.