Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-30

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)

An eternal debate is whether people should put effort to overcome the challenges they face or they should just accept it and move on. While always trying to improve can make people depressed in life, not trying to change certain situations can lead to a life full of resentment.

In life, there are a lot of times when situations are not favourable. A person might not get the job that he desired or could be in a financial crisis. If that person is thinking about these problems all the time, he would not be able to concentrate in anything else. As a result, his existing career, family life and personal health would be affected. So, accepting the situation and being grateful for what they already have could help them to get motivated.

Being said that, accepting should not mean that they stop trying. To achieve something, effort is needed. No one can change their situation without trying. While being unnecessary worried is useless, putting deliberate work towards the goal makes it more achievable. Supposedly, a person is in a financial crisis, and rather than working to get out of it, he accepts his reality and stays put. This would make his plight worse. Without putting effort, he would be left wondering why he did not try at all. This can make a person full of regret later. In my opinion, although being frustrated would not help, one should not stop trying to do better.

To sum it up, accepting a bad situation can sometimes provide mental peace so that a person is not always chasing after a job or money and can focus on the present. Nevertheless, people should work hard to thrive and get out of the hardship.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and give a clear opinion: accepting difficulties can protect wellbeing, but people should continue making efforts to improve their circumstances. The examples of an unwanted job and financial hardship are relevant, and the conclusion restates your balanced position. This meets the task well overall. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the case for acceptance is mainly explained through worry and its effects, while the case for trying to improve is supported more fully through the financial-crisis example and possible regret. To strengthen the response, explain more specifically when acceptance is sensible—for example, when a situation cannot be changed—and distinguish this from giving up on achievable goals. That fuller development would make the discussion more complete and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, one paragraph for each perspective, and a conclusion. The progression from the effects of dwelling on problems to the value of taking action is easy to follow, and signposts such as “As a result,” “Nevertheless,” and “To sum it up” help guide the reader. Some linking is a little mechanical, however, and the opening sentence presents the two positions in a way that could be more direct. References such as “that person” and “they” are generally understandable, but the shift between singular examples and general statements occasionally makes the reference less precise. Use transitions that show the relationship between ideas more naturally, and make each paragraph’s central point explicit before developing its example.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary to discuss the topic, including “financial crisis,” “resentment,” “deliberate work,” and “mental peace.” These choices communicate the main ideas, and the meaning remains clear. There are also attempts at more expressive language, such as “a life full of resentment” and “left wondering why he did not try at all.” Some phrases are imprecise or do not sound natural in this context: “concentrate in anything else,” “being unnecessary worried,” and “stays put” weaken fluency. Aim for more accurate collocations and a slightly wider range of precise terms for coping, persistence, and financial difficulty. This would make the argument sound more controlled and less reliant on general wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including conditional sentences (“If that person is thinking about these problems all the time…”) and contrast clauses (“While being unnecessary worried is useless…”). Most sentences are understandable, and errors rarely prevent the reader from following your argument. Some grammatical inaccuracies remain, particularly in agreement and sentence construction. For example, “people should…accept it” shifts from plural “people” to singular “it,” and “A person…he…they” creates inconsistent pronoun reference. The opening also joins two alternatives in a slightly awkward structure: “whether people should…or they should…”. Review agreement and keep pronouns consistent, while practising complex sentences with clear clause relationships. Greater accuracy across these structures would make the writing more polished.

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