Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25
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 people believe that it is best to accept a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job or shortage of money. There are some others who argue that it is better to try and improve such situations.
In the life span of the humans, there occur too many ups and downs, that a brave man has to face with a big heart. These hard times are the testers of the manly power and bravery, as when someone id going through it, he faces many challenges. In order to overcome these bad circumstances, man has to try his best to tackle with the situations.
God Almighty has given many manly powers to the humans, so that they without relying on others make their efforts in the hard times and become successful in life. When a bad time approaches a man, it is for the good purpose as it enables them to analyze who is sincere to them and who is in the wolf`s dressing. When a bad situation has come by, there are two options for the man, one he may run to escape the situation and second he may stand like a lion and face it with the courage and self esteem.
In the life time that we spend, there happens when we need to accept an unsatisfactory job, that we don`t like to go and work at that place with full energy. The people have different opinions regarding this matter, some say that one may not go with the flow and try to find a better option for ease in life. Some others have opinion that one must keep working and he will definitely become use to it.
In conclusion, I would prefer that to have the idea that one must try better options and improve such 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 sides of the argument, but the development is uneven. While you mention the two options (accepting vs. improving), the discussion lacks depth and specific examples related to the prompt's context, such as the 'shortage of money'. The essay relies heavily on abstract metaphors like 'wolf's dressing' and 'stand like a lion' rather than providing concrete, logical arguments. Furthermore, the conclusion is brief and does not adequately summarize the main points. To improve, ensure each body paragraph focuses on a clear, well-supported argument that directly relates to the prompt's specific scenarios.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow between ideas is often disjointed. Transitions are sometimes mechanical or confusing, such as the sudden shift to the 'wolf's dressing' metaphor, which does not clearly connect to the previous sentence. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally repetitive. For example, the start of the third paragraph feels disconnected from the preceding discussion. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence logically follows the one before it, creating a smoother progression of ideas.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and occasionally imprecise. Phrases like 'manly power' and 'wolf's dressing' are either unnatural or inappropriate for an academic essay. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'testers of the manly power'. While you attempt to use some descriptive language, it often feels forced or does not accurately convey the intended meaning. To improve, focus on using more academic and precise vocabulary that is appropriate for a formal discussion. Avoid overly dramatic or idiomatic expressions that do not fit the context of the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'there occur too many ups and downs'), awkward phrasing (e.g., 'that a brave man has to face with a big heart'), and punctuation errors. Some sentences are overly long and convoluted, making them difficult to follow. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like article usage and verb tense consistency. Aim for shorter, clearer sentences to ensure your meaning is conveyed accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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