Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-22

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)

People inevitably encounter periods in life when their circumstances are less than ideal. While some believe that accepting an unsatisfactory job or financial difficulties is the most sensible response, others argue that people should actively seek to change their situation. Although acceptance can be justified when circumstances are genuinely beyond an individual’s control, I believe that making a sustained effort to improve one’s position is generally more beneficial.

There are circumstances in which acceptance is the more rational course of action. Financial obligations, family responsibilities and a lack of alternative employment can make leaving an unpleasant job unnecessarily risky. Someone who supports several family members, for instance, may dislike their current occupation but still depend on its regular income to pay for food, housing and education. Resigning without another source of income could therefore turn an unsatisfactory situation into a far more serious one. Moreover, some difficulties are temporary and cannot be resolved through individual effort alone. In such cases, accepting reality while waiting for circumstances to change can protect a person from unnecessary stress and impulsive decisions.

Nevertheless, treating acceptance as a permanent solution can prevent people from improving their lives. An unsatisfactory situation is not necessarily an unchangeable one, particularly when the individual has some control over its underlying causes. A poorly paid worker, for example, may initially have few alternatives, but acquiring a professional qualification, learning a marketable skill or applying for positions elsewhere can gradually enhance their earning potential. The same principle applies to financial hardship: reducing unnecessary expenditure may provide short-term relief, while developing additional sources of income can address the problem more fundamentally. Even when improvement is gradual, taking such measures gives individuals greater control over their future rather than leaving them resigned to their existing circumstances.

In my view, the distinction between sensible acceptance and harmful passivity is crucial. People should acknowledge constraints that cannot realistically be overcome, but they should not assume that every difficult situation is fixed. The most constructive response is therefore to accept what cannot immediately be changed while simultaneously working towards what can. This approach combines the stability that acceptance can provide with the possibility of meaningful long-term improvement.

In conclusion, accepting an undesirable situation can be justified when changing it would involve excessive risk or when the circumstances are beyond a person’s control. However, where realistic opportunities for improvement exist, people should make use of them. In my opinion, recognising one’s limitations while continuing to pursue achievable improvements is a more sustainable response than either passive acceptance or reckless change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that of accepting a bad situation and that of trying to improve it—while clearly presenting a well-developed personal opinion throughout. In the second paragraph, the writer explores the justifications for acceptance, citing financial obligations and family responsibilities with appropriate examples. The third paragraph effectively presents the counter-argument for striving to improve, supporting points with practical examples such as acquiring professional qualifications. The position is consistently maintained and logically concluded, meeting the criteria for a high band score under Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

Cohesion and coherence are expertly managed throughout the essay. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving smoothly from an introduction of the dilemma, through the arguments for acceptance and improvement, to a synthesized conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Cohesive devices such as 'While some believe', 'Moreover', 'Nevertheless', and 'In my view' are employed flexibly and unobtrusively, ensuring seamless transitions between sentences and paragraphs without any mechanical feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical range suitable for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items and collocations are used skillfully, such as 'financial obligations', 'genuine beyond an individual's control', 'permanent solution', and 'harmful passivity'. Word choice and collocations are generally very precise, with only occasional minor inaccuracies. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate, allowing the reader to follow complex arguments effortlessly and earning a strong band score in this category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high degree of control. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated subordination and participial phrases, as seen in sentences like 'Resigning without another source of income could therefore turn an unsatisfactory situation into a far more serious one.' Punctuation is handled accurately throughout, and punctuation errors are virtually non-existent. The few minor slips do not detract from the overall high quality of grammatical execution.

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