Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-29
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)
It is often argued by some people that it is best to accept a bad situation when someone passing through it like job unsatisfactory or shortage of money. Meanwhile, orthers believe that it is better to try their best to improve that situations. However, I believe that it is better to work hard and try to improve that situation.
On the one hand, the supporters of first point is that it is best to accept a bad situation like job unsatisfactory or shortage of money. As when a person doing a job that he does not like and he is not satisfied with his job or someone having shortage of money should have to be patience on that situation and bad days will fly away. Take an example of the Japan, in 1945, when US bombed after that Japan lost all its power they show patience without any kind of reaction on it. Thus, this proves that it is better to accept a bad situation.
While on the other hand, the supporters of the second point is that it is better to try and improve that situation. As when someone have such kind of the situation so he should try his best to improve that situation. For instence, the China, in 1950, it takes lones from other countries to run its economy but the people of the china worked hard and they proved that hard work changed their lives. Hence, working hard and try to improve the sitaution is the best option.
However, I believe that working hard and try to improve such kind of situations is the only best option. We should have to face such kind of situations. As if someone facing these situations and do not try to improve that's not good for him.
To sum up, eventhough to accept a bad situation and wait for the right time, but for my prospective that working hard can change your life.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on whether to accept or improve bad situations and presents a clear personal opinion throughout. However, the development of ideas is limited and somewhat repetitive, particularly in the body paragraphs and conclusion. The examples provided, such as Japan in 1945 and China in 1950, are sweeping historical generalisations that are not entirely accurate or well-integrated to support the specific prompt about personal circumstances like a bad job or a shortage of money. Nevertheless, a clear position is maintained. These tendencies place the response firmly at Band 5.5 to 6.0, as the main parts of the task are addressed, but the support lacks depth and analytical clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response features a coherent overall arrangement with a discernible introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is attempted, but transitions are frequently mechanical or faulty (e.g., 'On the one hand, the supporters of first point is that...', 'While on the other hand...'). Furthermore, referencing is sometimes unclear, and cohesive devices are overused in a formulaic manner. There is a lack of smooth progression between sentences, especially within the body paragraphs where ideas tend to loop back on themselves rather than advance logically. This corresponds to the Band 5.5 to 6.0 descriptors, where overall coherence is present, but mechanical cohesion and occasional awkward linking pull the score down.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but it is repetitive and relies heavily on basic words and phrases directly lifted from the prompt, such as 'bad situation', 'job unsatisfactory', and 'shortage of money'. There are noticeable lexical errors and inappropriate word forms, such as 'passing through it like job unsatisfactory' and 'takes lones' (loans). Attempts to use less common vocabulary are generally inaccurate or unnatural. Because the errors in word choice and spelling do not severely impede overall communication, but the range remains limited and repetitive, the response satisfies the requirements for Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control is weak, leading to frequent grammatical errors. Examples of structural and agreement issues include 'the supporters of first point is that', 'someone having shortage of money should have to be patience', and 'eventhough to accept a bad situation and wait for the right time, but for my prospective that working hard can change your life.' Punctuation and verb tense errors are pervasive, and many complex sentences are faulty. However, meaning is usually retrievable despite the strain placed on the reader. This performance aligns with Band 5.0 descriptors due to the high frequency of grammatical errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.