Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Making a better decision in the life has always been a top priority for an individual. There are always ups and downs in the life but the thing that matters most is how we react to them. In a time where circumstances are not favourable we must try to improve such situations because it is much better to be at a better position than before.

People have distinct opinions about the unfavourable situations in life. Some argue that accepting the defeat is much better than living in unreality of not loosing. In my opinion it is okay to accept the reality but that acceptance must not stop anyone to move towards betterment. But on the other hand accepting reality is also much important because no one should be living in a delusion. Taking out a solution and trying to be at a better position then now is much valueable and appreciable.

Moreover, when circumstances occur such as unsatisfactory job or shortage of money, staying there accepting it and doing nothing to improve the situation has no value and it does not create any compatibility in an individual. Improvement and trying are the keys to success and in the world of competition it is what makes you outstanding. The effect of any bad thing is dependent on the way it gets reacted,

Concluding this, trying hard and improving your life is always better than staying at the same place regretting. We should always be trying and improving and always be moving towards a better future and doing the right things for ourselves.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear preference for improving difficult circumstances, especially in the opening and conclusion, and you acknowledge that accepting reality can be important. However, the discussion of the two views is uneven: the case for acceptance is mostly described as avoiding “living in a delusion,” while the benefits or limits of accepting a situation are not explored in depth. The argument for change is also asserted more than explained; for example, “Improvement and trying are the keys to success” would be stronger with a specific reason or example showing how someone might improve an unsatisfactory job or financial situation. Develop each viewpoint separately and support your opinion with a concrete illustration.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an introduction, a discussion paragraph and a conclusion, and the overall direction—from difficult circumstances to the value of improvement—is understandable. Some linking phrases, such as “Moreover” and “Concluding this,” help signal movement between ideas. However, the second paragraph shifts repeatedly between accepting reality and trying to improve, so the two views are not clearly organised. The sentence beginning “The effect of any bad thing…” is left unfinished, which interrupts the progression. Use one paragraph to explain the case for acceptance and another to develop the case for change and your position. Make links between claims explicit rather than relying mainly on general transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “unfavourable situations,” “unsatisfactory job,” “shortage of money,” and “delusion.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “towards a better future.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural and reduce precision: “accepting the defeat” does not fit this context as well as “accepting the situation,” and “compatibility in an individual” does not clearly express the intended idea. Spelling errors such as “loosing” and “valueable” are noticeable. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling; using a smaller set of precise expressions will make the argument clearer than relying on broad phrases such as “bad thing.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses introduced by “because” and “when,” and most of the main ideas remain understandable. However, control is inconsistent in longer constructions. For example, “In a time where circumstances are not favourable we must try…” needs clearer clause punctuation and a more suitable relative construction, while “The effect of any bad thing is dependent on the way it gets reacted,” is grammatically incomplete. There are also article and sentence-pattern problems in “in the life” and “Taking out a solution and trying to be at a better position then now is…” Practise building complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and review articles, clause structure and punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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