Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26

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 7.5)

Some people believe that accepting a difficult situation is the best approach, while others think that people should make an effort to improve their circumstances. Although accepting an unpleasant situation can sometimes reduce stress, I believe that trying to improve a difficult situation is generally a better choice.

On the one hand, accepting a bad situation can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Some problems are beyond a person's immediate control, and constantly worrying about them may cause unnecessary stress and frustration. For example, if someone is temporarily experiencing financial difficulties because of an economic crisis, accepting the situation for a period of time may help them remain calm and focus on managing their essential expenses. Furthermore, accepting reality can help people avoid unrealistic expectations and make sensible decisions.

On the other hand, many people believe that individuals should actively try to improve their circumstances. This approach can help people achieve better living conditions and greater satisfaction in the long term. For instance, a person who is unhappy with their job could develop new skills, gain additional qualifications or search for alternative employment. Similarly, someone facing financial problems could reduce unnecessary spending or look for an additional source of income. Although these actions may require considerable effort, they can eventually lead to positive changes.

In my opinion, while accepting an unavoidable situation can sometimes be sensible, people should generally try to improve circumstances that can be changed. Taking action gives individuals greater control over their lives and increases the possibility of achieving better results in the future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both views regarding accepting versus improving difficult situations and provided a consistent, well-supported personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, such as the example of managing financial crises versus active career development. The position is clear from the introduction through to the conclusion, and the arguments are well-developed with sufficient supporting detail. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Similarly', and 'Although' helps to connect sentences and ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different perspectives and your own opinion, making the structure easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'unpleasant situation', 'unrealistic expectations', and 'actively try to improve' show a solid command of language. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated, less common lexical items to reach the highest band. The current range is sufficient for the task and allows for precise expression of your ideas without any noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of concessive clauses ('Although accepting an unpleasant situation...') and conditional structures. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over sentence construction is consistent, and you demonstrate a good ability to manage complex ideas through varied syntax, which is characteristic of a high-level performance.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.