Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
People are exposed to difficult situations such as an unsatisfactory job or a shortage of money. Some of them believe it is best to accept a bad situation; others argue that it is better to try to improve such a situation. In my opinion, turning bad situations into good situations is better in many spheres
Deciding to change hard situations leads to relaxation and various developments in our lives. Facing challenges means encountering problems in both personal life and professional life; solving problem after problem enhances our personality and mindset, so that is effect on your life quickly, such as perfect job performance or a happy marriage. For example, rejecting harassment in relationships with friends makes the person strong and friendly.
On the other hand, accepting difficult conditions prevents dangerous risks from happening. Staying in the comfort zone makes people feel safe. Avoiding unexpected events preserves the calm routine of life, which makes them pleased and comfortable in their workplace and also maintains work-life balance. For instance, an employee accepts an unsatisfactory job because the job site is near his house, so the commute becomes easier. Another person refuses to divorce just to take care of his young children.
In conclusion, understanding that there is a wide range of opportunities in life, wherever the place is, encourages people to make their lives better, and solving each problem is the shortest way to live a happy and enjoyable life.
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 opinion. However, the essay falls short of the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat underdeveloped; for instance, the point about 'rejecting harassment' is a bit tangential to the prompt's focus on 'unsatisfactory jobs' or 'shortage of money'. To reach a higher band, you need to expand on your examples with more specific analysis and ensure the essay meets the length requirement to allow for full development of your position.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into clear paragraphs, and there is a logical progression of ideas. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion' to signal shifts in the argument. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure would benefit from more sophisticated linking words to connect ideas within paragraphs more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. You rely on somewhat repetitive phrasing, such as 'bad situation' and 'difficult situations'. While you attempt some topic-specific vocabulary like 'work-life balance' and 'unsatisfactory job', there is a lack of more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions. To improve, focus on using more precise synonyms and collocations to express your ideas with greater nuance and variety.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'so that is effect on your life quickly' and 'wherever the place is', which slightly hinder clarity. While these errors do not prevent communication, they are frequent enough to keep the score in the mid-range. To achieve a higher band, you should aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure that your subject-verb agreement and word order are consistently accurate.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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