Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-28

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 5.0)

According to some individuals, in case of an unsatisfactory employment or financial issue, the best decision is to accept the worst scenario. Others believe that instead of giving up, one should try to make situations better. Both the views are discussed in this essay before forming an opinion.

Taking into consideration the first view point, many individuals start adjusting themselves according to the bad situations of their lives. Several employees are not satisfied with their workplace, either financially or emotionally but still continue working there. Rather than focusing on trying to get employed somewhere else they believe in accepting the scenario and continue with it. The reasons behind this may include the fear of being completely unemployed and unable to survive. Shortage of money, which is very common issue, is also often accepted by many individuals who do not want to work hard or are completely hopeless. As per an article stated in The Times,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The opening identifies both positions, and the first body paragraph gives relevant examples of people staying in unsatisfactory work or accepting financial hardship. However, the response stops before discussing the opposing view or giving your own opinion, so two central parts of the prompt are not addressed. The reasons offered for accepting hardship—fear of unemployment and hopelessness—are relevant, but they are only briefly explained, and the reference to a Times article is left unfinished. The response also does not meet the stated 250-word minimum, which leaves the argument substantially incomplete. To improve, develop both sides with specific explanations and examples, state your position clearly, and finish with a conclusion that follows from your discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction is followed by a paragraph focused on the first viewpoint, and phrases such as “Taking into consideration the first view point” signal the paragraph’s purpose. Within that paragraph, the ideas move from workplace dissatisfaction to financial hardship and then to possible reasons for acceptance. However, there is no paragraph presenting the other view, no conclusion, and the final sentence breaks off after “As per an article stated in The Times,” so the progression is incomplete. Some linking is also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “accepting” and “continue.” Build a complete sequence of paragraphs and use clear transitions to connect the two perspectives and your opinion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use an adequate range of topic-related vocabulary, including “unsatisfactory employment,” “financial issue,” “workplace,” “financially or emotionally,” and “completely unemployed.” These choices make the general subject clear, and “hopeless” conveys a relevant reason for accepting hardship. Some expressions are awkward or imprecise, however, such as “accept the worst scenario,” “make situations better,” and “accepting the scenario.” “Shortage of money” is understandable but could be expressed more naturally as “financial hardship.” The phrase “view point” is also less standard than “viewpoint.” Aim for precise, natural collocations and avoid repeating the same wording; this will make your argument sound more fluent and appropriately academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, and several sentences communicate their meaning clearly, such as “The reasons behind this may include the fear of being completely unemployed and unable to survive.” You also attempt a conditional opening and use a contrast structure with “Rather than.” Some grammatical errors remain, but they rarely prevent understanding. For example, “a very common issue” needs an article before “very,” and “Both the views” is more naturally formed as “Both views” or “Both of these views.” The opening phrase “in case of an unsatisfactory employment” also has an awkward grammatical construction. Continue practising articles and noun phrases, and proofread sentence openings and punctuation, especially the unfinished final sentence.

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