Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Some individuals believe that accepting difficult situations, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money , is the best approach. While others argue that people should take action to improve their circumstances. This essay will discuss both view before explaining my view that why i believe that trying to improve a difficult situation is generally more considerable.
From first view, accept a bad situation. Some situation cannot be changed easily such as unsatisfactory job, if we are not satisfied from our job but we can't resign from job easily because it creates unemployment and unnecessary stress. Acceptance can reduce stress and frustration. People can focus more on positive things that they have. For example, if someone has a temporary financial problem , accepting it can help them remain calm while finding solutions.
Furthermore, trying to improve life can lead to better opportunities. Taking actions can lead to financial stability and increase confidence. If someone is not happy with their job if they start gaining new skills or finding another job or start to do more about personal development it build their confidence. That's why trying to improve situation is better than accept situation.
From my perspective, is better to improve situations and finding solution rather then accept bad situation with unsatisfactory. Because accepting problems permanently can prevent personal growth. However, people should accept situations that are genuinely beyond their control.
To pen down, it is better to improve situation which are in our control. If they are beyond control we have to accept situations.
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
The response addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the argument for accepting a bad situation is supported by a brief example regarding job dissatisfaction, but the explanation lacks depth. Similarly, the second body paragraph mentions personal development but does not fully explore how this leads to long-term success. While the position is consistent throughout, the essay would benefit from more detailed examples and a more nuanced exploration of the 'shortage of money' aspect mentioned in the prompt. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and could better synthesize the main points.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Furthermore', 'From my perspective', and 'To pen down', though some transitions feel mechanical or slightly unnatural. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as in the phrase 'From first view', which is not standard English. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, which helps the reader follow the argument. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the relationship between sentences is more fluid.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the writer to express their ideas clearly. However, there is a lack of variety and some inaccuracies in word choice. For example, the phrase 'more considerable' is used incorrectly to mean 'better' or 'more effective'. There are also repetitive uses of basic terms like 'situation' and 'job'. While the meaning is always clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, and the essay lacks the more sophisticated or precise lexical items required for a higher band score. Improving collocation and using more academic synonyms would be beneficial.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include missing articles (e.g., 'From first view'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'accept a bad situation' instead of 'accepting'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'that why i believe'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper structure or containing unnecessary spaces before commas. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall fluency of the writing. A focus on subject-verb agreement and consistent use of articles is recommended.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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