Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-26

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)

Different mindsets handle each situation differently. While one could believe that an obstacle in life is best crossed by first acknowledging and accepting it, others popularly argue that an unwanted situation should be changed by attempting different approaches available at the time. In this essay, I will discuss both points first and then state my view on the matter in question.

To some individuals, acceptance is the best way to carry forward in life when a bad situation arises. Their reasons range from helplessness to anxiety of confrontation. For a large number of people, it is a blessing, as well as a social advantage, to be able to take an appropriate action against the unfortunate situation life places them in; especially women in rural areas, who depend entirely on their father, brothers, or husband, cannot simply fathom the idea of single handedly mending a bad situation, which is why they often consider themselves helpless and anxious, and simply accept the situation, hoping it would resolve with time on its own.

Others, however, believe that a bad situation can only be mended if one takes an action against it. This often happens when a person have had an exposure to diverse cultures and environments, and has developed a solution-oriented personality- I personally share my views with such people. Growing up in an unstable yet diverse environment, my educational backgroud helped me grow a backbone and stand up for things I believe in, as well as mend the situations that made me uncomfortable in life. Resilience has always been my response to setbacks in life.

To sum it all up, different upbringing develops different personalities. While some believe that accepting unfortunate incidents could prove to be beneficial, others fight through the crippling bad days of life to bring back positivity. I, like the latter individuals, believe that a bad situation should be improved through appropriate actions in life.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and make your own position clear: the essay explains why some people accept difficult circumstances and concludes that you favour taking action to improve them. The personal example about your upbringing and resilience also supports your position. However, the two sides are not developed equally. The acceptance paragraph focuses mainly on helplessness among women in rural areas, which is a narrow explanation and is presented as a broad generalisation; it would be stronger with a more balanced reason, such as accepting what cannot be changed or avoiding unnecessary risk. The improvement view is also asserted more than explained. Add a specific example and show how taking practical steps can improve a job or financial situation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response has a clear four-part structure: introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a conclusion. Its progression is easy to follow, and signposts such as “Others, however” and “To sum it all up” help readers recognise shifts and the final position. This clear organisation is a strength. Some linking is more formulaic than necessary, particularly the introduction’s announcement that you will discuss both points and the conclusion’s summary of the same contrast. Within the first body paragraph, the long sentence beginning “For a large number of people” carries several related points at once, making the reasoning harder to track. Break it into shorter units and use clearer links between the claim, explanation, and example.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a reasonably varied vocabulary and attempt less common expressions, including “solution-oriented personality,” “Resilience,” and “setbacks,” which suit the topic. These choices show some flexibility, and the meaning is generally clear. However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural in context, such as “carry forward in life,” “fathom the idea of single handedly mending,” and “fight through the crippling bad days.” “Backgroud” is also misspelled, and “mend” is repeated where more precise verbs would help. To strengthen control, choose natural collocations and distinguish between accepting circumstances, addressing a problem, and improving a situation. Avoid dramatic wording when a more measured academic expression would communicate the point more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including contrast clauses (“While one could believe…”) and a relative clause (“the unfortunate situation life places them in”). Most sentences remain understandable, and the range supports the discussion. Some grammatical errors persist, however. In “when a person have had an exposure,” the subject and verb do not agree, and the article before “exposure” is unnecessary. The sentence beginning “For a large number of people” is very long and its semicolon before “especially women” does not clearly separate complete clauses. There are also awkward constructions such as “take an action” and “different upbringing develops,” where article or number choices need attention. Review agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries, while retaining your complex structures.

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