Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-11
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 6.5)
Some people believe that it is better to accept a bad situation, while others think that people should try to improve it. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
On the one hand, accepting a difficult situation can sometimes be a good choice. If a person has an unsatisfactory job, for example, they may not be able to leave it because they need money for their family. In this situation, accepting the job can provide financial security. Similarly, if someone does not have enough money, they may have to accept their current lifestyle until their situation becomes better. Trying to change everything immediately can also create more stress.
On the other hand, I believe that people should try to improve bad situations whenever possible. If a person is unhappy with their job, they can learn new skills and search for a better job. This can help them earn more money and have a happier life. Also, people who face financial problems can try to reduce unnecessary expenses or find an additional source of income. Although these changes may take time, they can improve a person's future.
In my opinion, accepting a bad situation is sometimes necessary, especially when there are no immediate alternatives. However, people should not accept difficult situations permanently. They should make reasonable efforts to improve their circumstances.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay addresses both views and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the response is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the ideas are relevant, they are somewhat underdeveloped due to the brevity. For instance, the discussion on financial problems is quite brief and lacks specific examples or a more nuanced exploration of the long-term implications. To reach a higher band, you must expand your supporting points with more detailed explanations or illustrative examples to ensure the response meets the length requirement and demonstrates a more thorough development of ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each view, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different perspectives. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', and 'However' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The progression of ideas is clear, and the relationship between sentences is generally logical. To improve, you could incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between the two viewpoints is even smoother, perhaps by using more sophisticated linking phrases to connect the contrasting ideas more tightly.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use some topic-specific terms like 'financial security', 'unnecessary expenses', and 'additional source of income'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler, more common vocabulary. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise, less common lexical items and demonstrate better control over collocations. For example, instead of 'bad situation', you could use 'adverse circumstances' or 'challenging predicament'. Expanding your vocabulary will help you express your ideas with more sophistication and precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional 'If a person is unhappy... they can learn...' and the concessive 'Although these changes may take time...'. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The sentences are clear and easy to follow. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of complex structures, such as passive voice or more varied subordinate clauses, and ensure that your sentence variety is consistently high throughout the entire piece.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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