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)

It is inevitable that people will experience periods in which their circumstances are unsatisfactory, whether because of an unfulfilling job or financial difficulties. Some argue that accepting such situations is the most sensible response, whereas others believe that people should make every reasonable effort to improve them. I believe that acceptance is appropriate as a temporary response to circumstances that cannot immediately be changed, but that people should ultimately seek improvement whenever they have meaningful control over their situation.

Those who favour acceptance are likely to argue that attempting to change every undesirable circumstance is neither realistic nor necessarily beneficial. People have responsibilities that cannot simply be abandoned in pursuit of a better life. For example, an employee who dislikes their job may nevertheless depend on its salary to support children or repay a mortgage. Leaving immediately, without another source of income, could expose the entire household to greater financial insecurity. There is also a psychological argument for acceptance. Recognising that some circumstances are temporarily unavoidable can prevent people from constantly comparing their lives with an idealised alternative and becoming frustrated by factors they cannot control. In this sense, acceptance can be a rational strategy rather than an expression of defeat.

However, accepting an unsatisfactory situation indefinitely can itself become a serious problem. If people regard their circumstances as fixed, they may overlook opportunities that could gradually change them. Consider a worker who is poorly paid but has access to evening courses or vocational training. Remaining in the same position may preserve immediate financial stability, but acquiring a new qualification could eventually provide access to better-paid employment. The important point is that improvement does not require a dramatic decision such as immediately resigning from a job. It can involve incremental changes that reduce risk while expanding future opportunities. This approach is particularly valuable because it addresses the underlying cause of dissatisfaction rather than merely making it easier to tolerate.

In my view, therefore, acceptance and improvement should not be regarded as mutually exclusive. A person may need to accept an undesirable reality in the short term while taking deliberate steps to change it in the longer term. What matters is whether the individual distinguishes between constraints that are genuinely unavoidable and problems that could be addressed through persistence, planning or the acquisition of new skills.

In conclusion, accepting a bad situation can be sensible when immediate change would create greater difficulties. Nevertheless, permanent acceptance of circumstances that can realistically be improved may limit a person's opportunities and quality of life. The most constructive response is to accept unavoidable constraints while actively working towards achievable and lasting change.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether to accept or improve a bad situation and clearly presenting a well-developed personal opinion. The introduction establishes a nuanced position, which is sustained throughout the essay. The body paragraphs thoughtfully explore the rationales behind both acceptance, such as avoiding immediate financial insecurity, and improvement, such as pursuing incremental changes like vocational training. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, meeting the Band 8 descriptor for fully covering all parts of the task well with well-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a very clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are logically sequenced, moving seamlessly from the introduction to the arguments for acceptance, the arguments for improvement, the synthesis of both views, and finally a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, such as 'However', 'Consider a worker', and 'In my view', without being mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic, easily satisfying the requirements for Band 8.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Less common lexical items and collocations are handled skillfully throughout the text, including phrases like 'unfulfilling job', 'financial insecurity', 'idealised alternative', 'incremental changes', and 'mutually exclusive'. Word choice and collocations are precise, and there are no noticeable spelling or word-choice errors, demonstrating the high level of control expected at Band 8.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

A wide range of complex structures is used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The writer employs varied subordinate clauses, conditional elements, and noun phrases effectively (e.g., 'Recognising that some circumstances are temporarily unavoidable can prevent people from...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and any complex structures attempted are handled securely. Punctuation is accurate throughout, fully aligning with the Band 8 criteria where only very occasional non-systematic errors might occur.

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