Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-16

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)

You only live once. Live it your way. However certain people argue that it is acceptable to embrace an unpleasant situation happens in your lives such as if you are not pursuing your dream profession or living a destitute life. While others believe that it is better to try hard and improve such circumtances. In this essay I will elucidate both perspectives followed to my standpoint on this matter.

To begin with, numerour factors influence in our lives, every single person in this world is somehow struggling with financial crisis, health issues, or even relationships, sometimes we cannot do anything, regardless to accept the situation. If you get a job that is high ranked undoubtedly well paid with several benefits, nevertheless the working environment and the staff is not compelling for you then what will you do? It entirely depend on your preferance and your current circumtances. If you have to make yourself financially strong and provide your children a better future then you have to suffer with this situation. Moreover earning a considerable salary is fullfily your dreams to provide a standard life to your family by avoiding what you are going through is acceptable when you know it is the only way by sacrificed your desire over your family happiness.

Although, our overall well-being is indispensible and for that we cannot compromise with our own mental peace. If you find yourself in a place that do not appeals you then you must try to find a better place where you feel satisfied. Additionally, money can give you everything except your own peace. Therefore, if you stuck yourself in a situation where you are strugging with personal calm then you should at least put some effort to make it better otherwise you should alway keep one door open, thus whenever you feel distrub, then think about it wisely.

In my opinion, I am convinced that we should invest efforts to make our life better. Eventhough, sometimes it can be arduous, but aceepting an unpleasant situation can excerbate it.

In conclusion, everyone desires to have a impeccable life without worrying about any difficulty in life, while sometimes you go through hardships and you have to choose one thing, a well paid job or your own satisfaction then you should always go with the second option.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and give a clear overall preference for trying to improve difficult circumstances. The financial-security example—remaining in a well-paid job to support children—explains why someone might accept an unsatisfactory situation, while the discussion of mental peace supports the opposing view. However, some points are less fully developed: the first view is framed mainly around family responsibilities, and the advice to “keep one door open” is not explained in practical terms. Your conclusion also introduces a stronger claim that personal satisfaction should always come first, which is not fully reconciled with the earlier example of sacrificing personal desires for family. Develop the conditions behind your position and make the conclusion consistent with the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two perspectives, your opinion, and a conclusion. Linking expressions such as “To begin with,” “Although,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “In this essay I will elucidate both perspectives followed to my standpoint” does not clearly describe the essay’s direction, and “thus whenever you feel disturbed” is loosely attached to the preceding advice. The final paragraph also repeats the preference for satisfaction without clearly synthesising the earlier financial argument. Use clearer links between claims and examples, and ensure each paragraph develops one main point in a logical sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt a range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “financial crisis,” “considerable salary,” “mental peace,” and “arduous.” These choices show an effort to express nuanced ideas, but inaccurate spelling, word forms, and collocations are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less natural: “fullfily your dreams,” “strugging with personal calm,” and “a impeccable life” are examples. Some expressions are also imprecise, such as “high ranked” for a job and “embrace an unpleasant situation happens.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations rather than choosing an ambitious word that does not fit the sentence. Proofread spelling and check collocations; for instance, “fulfil your dreams,” “struggling to maintain peace of mind,” and “an ideal life” would be clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple and complex sentence forms, including conditional structures such as “If you get a job…” and contrast clauses beginning with “Although.” This gives you a basis for expressing comparisons and qualifications. However, attempts at longer sentences are often faulty, and errors in agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries sometimes make the argument difficult to follow. For example, “the working environment and the staff is” needs plural agreement, while “If you find yourself in a place that do not appeals you” has errors in both agreement and verb form. The opening also contains a sentence fragment: “However certain people argue…” Practise building complex sentences around one clear main clause, and check agreement and punctuation before adding further ideas.

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