Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-25

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)

Accepting a bad situation is the best way to cope with a bad situation like an unsatisfactory or lack of funds according to some people, however others think improvement in life is best way to move forward. Accepting a bad situation can save a person from the psychological stress associated with worrying about improving such situation, however improving one's life and living standard is also something one should strive for. I strongly believe that improving one's life is the best way forward towards a better and more fulfilling life.

On the one hand, some people believe that resigning one's self to unfavorable circumstances and accepting a bad job, or coping with lack of funds and budgeting correctly is the best way to continue one's life without any problems. Resigning to circumstances that are less than ideal can be a good way to avoid mental burden and lessen the levels of stress that a person is going through. For instance, a person going through a nation-wide recession should budget strictly and avoid spending on unnecessary things, rather than taking risks and venture on lucrative sounding pathways, that might put his financial stability in jeopardy.

On the other hand, being stuck in a stagnant job without any future prospects can be extremely frustrating and debilitating. Humanity progresses through dissatisfaction and complacency can lead to mental burnout, which can slowly and gradually lessen the self respect and self worth of the individual. So, improving such unfavorable and worsening situations should be the top priority in majority of cases, as riding a sinking ship is a fool's endeavor. For instance, a person stuck in a job where a boss is nagging at him all the time, and the workplace has a toxic environment, would be extremely frustrated and over long time, this can lead to hypertension, and other cardiovascular issues. Hence, a stagnant job and lack of financial resources can be a plight which needs to be alleviated.

In conclusion, while accepting a bad job can allow one's self to escape the immediate stress and psychological burden, I strongly believe that improving one's situation and striving to be in a better situation through hard-work, commitment, perseverance, motivation and discipline is the ideal way to progress the society in a positive way.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—accepting a bad situation versus trying to improve it—and clearly states a personal position throughout the essay. In the introduction, the writer outlines both perspectives and firmly states, 'I strongly believe that improving one's life is the best way forward.' Body paragraph one effectively elaborates on the benefits of accepting circumstances, such as avoiding mental burden during a recession, while body paragraph two presents compelling arguments for striving to improve, highlighting stagnation and toxic work environments. The ideas are well extended and supported with relevant examples, such as a recession and a nagging boss. The conclusion neatly reiterates the main arguments and aligns with the stated position, demonstrating a fully developed response that meets all task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a well-defined introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs addressing opposing views, and concluding with a summary statement. Transitional markers such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the arguments. Cohesive devices are generally managed well, though there are minor instances of repetitive phrasing, such as starting multiple clauses with 'such as' or repeating words like 'situation.' Paragraphing is logical, and referencing remains clear, ensuring that the relationships between ideas are easily followed by the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for flexibility and precision, successfully using less common items such as 'unfavorable circumstances,' 'financial stability,' 'complacency,' and 'cardiovascular issues.' There is an awareness of style and collocation, although some minor inaccuracies occur, such as 'venture on lucrative sounding pathways' instead of 'venture into,' or repeating 'bad situation' multiple times in the opening sentences. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, and the vocabulary allows the writer to convey precise meanings and arguments without impeding communication. Incorporating more sophisticated synonyms for frequently repeated terms would push the score higher.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response utilizes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or participial clauses like 'Resigning to circumstances that are less than ideal can be a good way...' and 'a person stuck in a job where a boss is nagging at him all the time...'. There is a good variety of complex structures deployed throughout the text. While there are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasing—such as 'Accepting a bad situation is the best way to cope with a bad situation like an unsatisfactory or lack of funds' (which contains a missing noun after unsatisfactory)—these errors do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are structured correctly, and punctuation is handled adequately.

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