Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-03

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 4.0)

It is preferred by many to make peace with a bad situation, for example, continuing a bad job or inadequate money, while others that prefer to improvize their situation. It is believed by many that accepting an unsatisfactory condition brings momentary sense of stability and peace. But it may cause detrimental effect on ones' mental health. Whereas, attempting to upgrade ones situation may seem tiresome but it results in mental satisfaction and better life in the long run. I believe the contrary argument is correct and should be applied to everyones lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You introduce both positions and state a clear preference in “I believe the contrary argument is correct,” so the reader can identify your general view. However, the response only briefly mentions each side and does not develop the discussion: the claimed stability of accepting a bad situation and the benefits of trying to improve it are not explained with reasons or examples. The essay also ends without a developed conclusion. The response is substantially below the required 250 words, which leaves the task only minimally addressed. To improve, explain both viewpoints in separate, developed paragraphs, support them with specific examples, and make your opinion clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The ideas follow a basic sequence: you introduce the two views, give a possible benefit and drawback of acceptance, then state your preference. Linking expressions such as “while,” “But,” and “Whereas” help signal contrast. However, the response is a single short paragraph, so there is no clear paragraph structure to guide the reader through a discussion of both views and your opinion. The contrast markers also create a somewhat abrupt progression, particularly the sentence beginning “Whereas,” which is not a complete sentence. Develop a clear introduction, separate body paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion. Use linking phrases to show relationships between fully explained ideas rather than relying mainly on contrast.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You attempt some topic-appropriate vocabulary, including “unsatisfactory condition,” “mental health,” “mental satisfaction,” and “in the long run.” These choices show an effort to express abstract ideas rather than relying only on basic words. However, several expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “improvize their situation,” “momentary sense of stability,” and “upgrade ones situation.” The range is also limited by the response’s brevity, and some word choices make the intended meaning less precise. Aim to use natural collocations for discussing employment and finances, and check spelling and possessive forms. For example, “improve their circumstances” is more idiomatic than “upgrade ones situation.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a contrast structure with “while” and a longer sentence beginning “It is believed by many.” Most of the meaning remains understandable. However, control is uneven: “while others that prefer” lacks a main verb, and “Whereas, attempting to upgrade…” is a dependent clause presented as a sentence. There are also errors in possessive forms in “ones’ mental health” and “ones situation,” and the opening sentence has an awkward grammatical construction. Practise forming complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and use “whereas” within a complete sentence. More accurate sentence boundaries and possessives would make your ideas easier to follow.

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