Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14

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 7.0)

Whether people should resign themselves to difficult circumstances, such as financial struggles or an unhappy career, or actively try to change them is a widely debated topic. While accepting a bad situation can provide temporary emotional peace, I believe that striving for improvement is ultimately essential for long-term happiness and personal growth.On the one hand, there are valid reasons why some people advocate for acceptance. Many believe that contenting oneself with an unfavorable reality reduces unnecessary stress and anxiety. For instance, constantly worrying about a shortage of money can lead to severe mental health issues, so accepting the situation allows individuals to focus on non-material aspects of life, like family. Furthermore, in weak economic climates, finding a better job is highly competitive. In such scenarios, accepting an unsatisfactory but stable job provides a reliable income, which is safer than risking unemployment.On the other hand, a strong case can be made for actively working to change one's circumstances. Human progress is driven by dissatisfaction, and passive acceptance often leads to lifelong stagnation. If an employee is unhappy with their career, pursuing further training or applying for new roles can open up opportunities for a higher salary and greater satisfaction. Similarly, overcoming financial hardship requires proactive steps like budgeting or finding alternative income streams. Taking control of these issues not only resolves practical difficulties but also builds personal resilience.In conclusion, while accepting a negative situation can offer short-term emotional comfort and stability during tough times, I believe it is far better to strive for improvement. Actively working to better one's life is the only definitive way to achieve true financial security and fulfillment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that of accepting a bad situation and that of actively improving it—while also presenting a clear and well-developed personal opinion throughout the response. In the second paragraph, the view of acceptance is supported with logical examples such as reducing anxiety and the pragmatic safety of a stable job in a weak economy. The third paragraph effectively presents the counter-argument, highlighting that proactive measures like retraining or budgeting lead to personal resilience and financial security. The ideas are extended and supported effectively, satisfying the requirements for Band 7.0 and pushing into Band 8.0 territory for well-developed main ideas, though a slightly deeper exploration of either viewpoint could have elevated it further.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from a well-framed introduction to balanced body paragraphs and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Similarly', which guide the reader effortlessly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each major idea given its own paragraph. Referencing is clear and precise (e.g., 'such scenarios', 'these issues'). Overall, the cohesion is well managed, meeting the criteria for Band 7.5 easily due to the natural flow of ideas and logical transition from one perspective to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The student uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suitable for an academic response. Phrases such as 'resign themselves to difficult circumstances', 'temporary emotional peace', 'lifelong stagnation', and 'alternative income streams' demonstrate a strong control of less common lexical items with a good awareness of collocation. There are only occasional minor lapses, but word choice is generally precise and appropriate. The vocabulary successfully conveys nuanced ideas without straining the reader, matching the Band 7.5 descriptors well due to the presence of natural, sophisticated collocations and precise phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The student successfully employs conditional structures, participial phrases, and nominal clauses (e.g., 'While accepting a bad situation can provide temporary emotional peace, I believe that striving for improvement is ultimately essential...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. Minor errors are practically absent, showing excellent command of sentence architecture and punctuation marks. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 8.0 descriptor for grammatical range and accuracy.

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