Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-21

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)

Introduction

Some people believe that accepting difficult situations, such as an unsatisfactory job or a lack of money, is the best choice. Others think that people should try to improve these situations. I believe that although accepting some situations can reduce stress, trying to improve them is generally a better approach.

Body Paragraph 1 — Accepting the situation

On the one hand, some people prefer to accept a bad situation because not every problem can be changed easily. Accepting reality can help people reduce stress and avoid unnecessary disappointment. For example, if a person has a low salary but cannot find another job, accepting the situation may help them focus on their current responsibilities instead of constantly worrying. In addition, some difficult situations are temporary, so people may simply wait until circumstances become better. Therefore, acceptance can sometimes be a practical and peaceful choice.

Body Paragraph 2 — Trying to improve the situation

On the other hand, I believe that people should try to improve their circumstances whenever possible. Taking action can create better opportunities and improve a person's quality of life. For instance, someone who is unhappy with their job could learn new skills, gain additional qualifications, or search for a better position. Similarly, a person facing financial problems could reduce unnecessary expenses or find an additional source of income. Although these changes may require time and effort, they can lead to long-term improvements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while accepting a difficult situation can sometimes reduce stress and be a practical choice, I believe that trying to improve it is better because it can create new opportunities and lead to a better quality of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. Your position is consistent throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and logically supported with examples, such as the mention of learning new skills for career advancement and reducing expenses for financial issues. To reach a higher band, you could further develop your arguments by exploring the potential downsides of 'improving' a situation (e.g., the risk of failure or burnout) or the psychological benefits of acceptance beyond just stress reduction. This would provide a more nuanced and balanced discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the benefits of acceptance to the benefits of proactive change. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' 'Similarly,' and 'In conclusion' effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints. The flow is smooth, and each sentence follows logically from the previous one, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'unsatisfactory job,' 'practical and peaceful choice,' and 'long-term improvements' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and clear, it is somewhat functional. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items or idiomatic collocations. For example, instead of 'try to improve,' you could use 'proactively seek to ameliorate' or 'take decisive action to rectify.' Your spelling is accurate throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

Your grammar is generally accurate, and you use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. For instance, the use of conditional structures ('if a person has a low salary...') and concessive clauses ('although these changes may require time...') shows good control. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is handled correctly. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, ensure you continue to vary your sentence structures even further to demonstrate full flexibility.

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