Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-13
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)
It is undeniable that, we all face ups and downs in our lives.In this regards, some folks that hardship is a part of life and one should remain content with the circumstances while others believe that we should make an effort to make things better.This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion that it is worthwhile to try to improve the worst situation.
To commence with, there are several compelling reasons why some individuals believe that accepting adversities, like an unsatisfactory job or financial constraints, is the option. Firstly, many may overlook job opportunities that are both financially rewarding and conveniently located. This oversight can lead to long commutes or relocation, which may only exacerbate their dissatisfaction in the short term. Secondly, while enduring unpleasant work conditions may seem counterproductive, such situations can potentially enhance individuals' creativity and resourcefulness. For instance, facing constraints may encourage employees to innovate and develop new skills, ultimately benefiting their long-term career trajectories.
Nevertheless, there exists a strong case for actively striving to improve one's circumstances rather than passively accepting them. One key argument in favor of this view is that by demonstrating resilience and a proactive attitude, individuals may foster trust and rapport with their colleagues and superiors, leading to tangible benefits such as raises or promotions. For example, a diligent employee who consistently goes above and beyond may attract recognition from management, resulting in increased responsibilities and financial rewards. Furthermore, failing to take action to enhance one's quality of life can lead to feelings of fatigue and disillusionment. In extreme cases, this could drive individuals towards illegal activities as a means of escaping their plight, highlighting the importance of seeking legitimate avenues for improvement.
To conclude, there are several benefits in favor of latter point of view such as demonstrating resilience, proactive attitude and feelings of fatigue, yet according to me that it is best way to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both views and provides an opinion. However, there is a significant contradiction in the conclusion. While the introduction and body paragraphs argue for the importance of improving one's situation, the conclusion states that it is best to 'accept a bad situation'. This inconsistency makes the position unclear and undermines the development of the argument. The ideas in the body paragraphs are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of 'resilience' and 'career trajectories', but the final summary is confusing and contradicts the preceding logic, which prevents the response from reaching a higher band.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the final paragraph is problematic; it attempts to summarize the points but fails to link them coherently to the final stated opinion, which is contradictory. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the internal cohesion of the conclusion is weak due to the logical error in the final sentence, which disrupts the overall flow of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some attempts at more sophisticated language such as 'exacerbate', 'counterproductive', 'trajectories', and 'disillusionment'. However, there are some awkward phrasings and minor errors, such as 'In this regards' (should be 'In this regard') and 'some folks that hardship' (missing a verb like 'believe'). The range is sufficient to convey meaning, but the occasional inaccuracies and the misuse of terms in the conclusion prevent a higher score. The vocabulary is functional but lacks the precision and natural collocation required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors throughout, such as punctuation issues ('lives.In'), missing words ('some folks that hardship'), and awkward phrasing ('according to me that it is best way'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. The control over complex structures is inconsistent, and the final sentence contains a significant grammatical breakdown. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with correct syntax and punctuation.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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