Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
Certain individuals have faith in the worst circumstances, like one should be satisfied with a job and poverty, while others condemn that it is good for an individual to endure hardship and do their best for improvement.
As far as the concern for job satisfaction and lower income, it is somehow right that one should be satisfied in every situation when basic needs are fulfilled and give quality time to their families because nothing comes before family. We can't buy happiness with money. We can't buy health with money. It is not wise to leave a job just because the salary is low is not a worthy decision.
On the other side many people try to look for other designations because of their career path. Sometimes their jobs do not match their academic certificates, and many times it happens because of pressure from their wives and parents that their needs are not met and they are not fulfilling their wishes and living standards, like a car, luxury residence, and household. So an individual insist to think about more money. Trying to look at many other options in this regard.
In my opinion, I would suggest that we should be happy in every situation. We should minimize our demands and luxurious status. It is really important for our mental health and peace. Because when you demand more and more, you will always be in stress situation, which destroys your mental health and overall physical performance. Always look down on those people who are disabled. Therefore, always be satisfied in every situation.
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 personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. The first body paragraph focuses heavily on the benefits of contentment, while the second paragraph attempts to explain why people seek improvement but lacks depth, relying on a list of material desires. The argument in the final paragraph is slightly repetitive, focusing on 'being happy in every situation' rather than balancing the two perspectives. To reach a higher band, you should ensure that the reasons for seeking improvement (e.g., personal growth, professional ambition) are as well-developed as the arguments for acceptance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the phrase 'in every situation' is used multiple times, which limits the flow. Some transitions between sentences are abrupt, such as the shift from discussing career paths to family pressure. Improving the variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'conversely') would help the ideas connect more naturally and improve the overall cohesion of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for higher bands. There are some awkward collocations, such as 'have faith in the worst circumstances' and 'condemn that it is good'. The vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'situation' and 'happy'. While the meaning is clear, the range of vocabulary is limited to common words. To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to career advancement, financial stability, and psychological well-being.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. For instance, 'others condemn that it is good' is grammatically incorrect, and 'an individual insist to think' contains a subject-verb agreement error. Punctuation is generally functional, but some sentences are fragmented or run-on. To achieve a higher score, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately without missing prepositions or articles.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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