Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-19
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 6.5)
Certain individuals argue that it is best to accept a bad situation, for instance an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money, while others believe that its best to try and develop such situations. Although accepting a bad situation may sometimes be necessary, I believe that people should generally try to improve their circumstance.
Looking at the benefits of coming to terms with a bad situation, accepting it can help a person stop thinking about the situation which reduces the anxiety of a person. For example, if a person has severe social anxiety, then comes across a bad situation which keeps him thinking a lot about it, if he accepts it that will reduce the anxiety. As a result, the person may feel less anxious.
Regarding the advantages of improving situations instead of simply accepting them, a person can build courage and develop a strong mindset, which can help protect them from anxiety. A good example of this is when a person falls when trying to climb up stairs, making it quite embarrassing, instead of accepting the situation, they should improve their circumstance so next time they become more cautious about their steps. Consequently, the person avoids falling off the stairs and builds a strong mindset, which evolves every time he faces an adverse situation.
In conclusion, although tolerating difficult situations can be beneficial, enhancing circumstances can be more advantageous as it develops courage and improves a person's mindset. In addition, taking action to overcome difficulties can help individuals become more confident and better prepared to deal with future challenges.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. The example regarding social anxiety is slightly tangential to the prompt's focus on 'unsatisfactory jobs' or 'shortage of money', and the example of falling on stairs is a literal interpretation of 'improving a situation' rather than a conceptual one. To reach a higher band, you should provide more nuanced, real-world examples related to the prompt's themes, such as career progression or financial planning, to demonstrate a deeper engagement with the topic.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'As a result', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the transition between the two body paragraphs could be smoother, and some sentences feel slightly repetitive in structure. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, and the essay maintains a consistent focus throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing for clear communication. You use some relevant terms like 'adverse situation' and 'circumstance'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to professional or financial challenges. For instance, instead of 'develop such situations', using 'proactively address' or 'rectify' would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'its best' (should be 'it's') and 'the anxiety of a person' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). While you attempt complex sentences, they are sometimes slightly clunky. Most sentences are error-free, and the errors present do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, focus on varying your sentence structure further and ensuring consistent control over punctuation and contractions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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