Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-12

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 widely agued that accepting a bad situation, be it an unsatisfactory job or lack of money is fine. While others disgree, and believe that an individual should try and improve such circumstances.

In my opinion, people who believe that it is fine to accept an underpaying job or less money often end up underestimating themselves. Therefore they never get the appreciation and honour that they deserve. But another reason for this could be financial struggles and dire need of money so when they don't find better options they panic and may accept an underpaying job. Which is a good short term solution but may prove to be harmful in the future.

In contrary, individuals that believe that it is better to try and improve such situations often get the best The reason for that is they don't underestimate themselves, they are aware of their worth and the importance of their work. They wait till they get the perfect opportunity and avail it.

I believe that people who try and improve their situations are much better because they don't let anyone undermine them and their work. Additionaly if you won't acknowledge your self worth, and lack confidence to ask for what you deserve, it may result in you getting an unsatisfactory job and lesser pay.

Taking everything into consideration, it is better to wait for the perfect opportunity to arrive instead of accepting an offer with less advantages. Furthermore it is important to have confidence in your abilities and skill to know that you deserve better.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You discuss both positions and state your view clearly: you argue that accepting poor conditions can reflect financial pressure, while striving for improvement can help people receive fair recognition. However, the discussion is only partially developed. The first view is mainly explained through panic and a short-term need for money, and the second relies on self-worth and waiting for a better opportunity; neither is supported with a concrete example or fuller explanation. Your conclusion repeats your preference rather than adding much. The response is also three words below the required 250-word minimum, which limits how fully you can develop the ideas. Explain the practical reasons someone might accept a difficult situation and give a specific example of how improvement could be pursued.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction to discussion of each view, your opinion, and a conclusion. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and linking expressions such as “Therefore,” “In contrary,” and “Taking everything into consideration” signal relationships between ideas. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear or repetitive. The second paragraph shifts from self-esteem to financial hardship without a smooth connection, while “In contrary” introduces the opposing view but the sentence then breaks down at “often get the best.” The conclusion also repeats points already made. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each explanation to the paragraph’s main claim; vary transitions and ensure each sentence completes a logical step.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of vocabulary for the topic, including “financial struggles,” “dire need,” “appreciation,” “undermine,” and “self worth.” These choices communicate the main ideas and show some willingness to use less common expressions. However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable, including “agued,” “disgree,” and “Additionaly,” and some phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “get the best” and “avail it.” Repetition of “underestimate,” “better,” and “deserve” also limits flexibility. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise language for employment and financial circumstances would help you express the contrast between accepting hardship and actively seeking improvement.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including the opening contrast with “While others disagree” and the conditional idea “if you won't acknowledge your self worth.” Meaning is generally understandable, but sentence boundaries and clause construction are inconsistent. “While others disagree, and believe…” is a fragment, and “Which is a good short term solution…” is also an incomplete sentence. The sentence beginning “In contrary, individuals…” is unfinished at “often get the best.” Commas are also used where full stops or clearer clause links are needed. Practise building complete sentences around contrast clauses and checking that every pronoun or relative clause has a clear grammatical connection. Greater control of these structures would make your argument easier to follow.

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