Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-05
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)
Over the past few decades society at large had witnessed tremendous growth and revolutionary changes that has been cornerstone the multifaceted progress. It may not be a hyperbole to state that dealing difficult situation in life has been a core element and an inviolable subset of this matrix in progress. In this context, an issue that has become a fixture of many discussion that pertains to the effectiveness to which some people say accept the bad situation and move on and others argue try and improve such situation. This essay shall analyse the issue at every angle and argue that it is better to try and improve such situation.
In the arsenal of arguments supporting some peoples perspective that people should accept the bad situation and move on, one of the potent is that some problems are temporary or beyond or control. The proponent of the view also feels that we should try hard to make more money to take care of our lives and families
However, a frank analysis of the situation at hand would make up realise that above mentioned perspective is an archaic approach to the dynamics of the modern cosmopolitan world but also fails to take into account these actions that we have achieved as a human being. The wheel of life and real world would halt you if we accepted some puritanical arguments. Certain compromises are inevitable and indispensable for the seamless functioning of the system and its high time we realise that above mentioned argument is not practically possible and any argument that leaves out pragmatism out of the equation is no tenable.
A quick perusal of the situation at hand would throw up a surfeit of seminal reasons supporting my perspective that. Firstly, improvement leads to better quality of life. Instead of failing and accepting it is better to find how we failed and using this make better in the next situation. I also feel that, taking actions create more and more opportunities. For example, a person with low paying job should study more skills and technologies an apply for higher jobs.
Having considered both sides, it seems ever so sensible to register my disagreement with the statement that accept the bad situation and move on. In spite of the intricate tapestry of arguments delicately woven in favour of the same. It seems unconvincing to my mind in a subtextual basis. It is also evident that the downsides to trying and improving are tangible, profound and enormously consequential, the benefits are ephemeral, superficial and beyond a point cease to be palpable in the long run. Suffice it to say that people should try hard 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 essay addresses both parts of the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. However, the development of ideas is inconsistent. The second paragraph, which discusses the opposing view, is underdeveloped and lacks specific examples, making the argument feel superficial. While the third and fourth paragraphs attempt to support your position, the reasoning is often obscured by overly complex and abstract language. To improve, ensure that each body paragraph contains a clear topic sentence followed by concrete, logical evidence. The conclusion is somewhat confusing, as you state that the downsides of improving are 'tangible' and 'profound,' which contradicts your stated position that one should try to improve.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear introduction and conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused. Phrases like 'In the arsenal of arguments' and 'A quick perusal of the situation' feel forced and do not always contribute to the natural flow of ideas. Furthermore, some transitions are abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the third paragraph where the connection between 'puritanical arguments' and the previous point is tenuous. Improving the logical flow between sentences would help the reader follow your argument more easily.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary, but there is a significant issue with collocation and word choice. Many phrases are used incorrectly or sound unnatural, such as 'inviolable subset of this matrix in progress' or 'subtextual basis.' While you attempt to use sophisticated language, it often leads to confusion rather than precision. The vocabulary is sometimes 'over-written,' where simpler, more accurate words would be more effective. To reach a higher band, focus on using vocabulary that you are confident is used correctly in context, rather than relying on complex-sounding but imprecise terminology.
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. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('society at large had witnessed,' 'some peoples perspective'), missing articles, and awkward phrasing ('the effectiveness to which some people say accept'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with sentence fragments like 'In spite of the intricate tapestry of arguments delicately woven in favour of the same.' While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and sentence completion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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