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 these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In today's world, there are two contrasting views regarding how to handle a bad situation, such as an unsatisfactory job, a financial hardship or an unfavourable situation. Some people suggest that it is best to accept the situation as it is, and try to make the most of it while others argue that it is better to take action and try to improve it. In my opinion, it is more reasonable to try and improve the bad situation to achieve a better outcome.
On the one hand, those who advocate for acceptance of bad situations believe that it can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Acceptance of a bad situation can help individuals focus on the things they can control and allow them to live in the present moment. For instance, a person with no special skills and a low-paying job may choose to accept the situation and focus on being happy with whatever little he has. If he is constantly unhappy about his pay scale and tries to change the job without a proper skillset, it will make his life more miserable.
On the other hand, those who argue for taking action to change their conditions believe that acceptance can lead to complacency and lack of motivation. By accepting a bad situation, individuals may miss out on opportunities to improve their circumstances and achieve their goals. For example, a person with a shortage of money may choose to take on extra work or seek financial assistance to improve their financial situation rather than thinking that he has nothing to do to earn more money and get out of the financial hardship.
In my view, while acceptance of unfavourable conditions can be useful in certain situations, it is often better to take action and strive for improvement. Without action, individuals may be resigned to a life of mediocrity, missing out on opportunities for personal and professional growth. Furthermore, taking action can help individuals build resilience and develop problem-solving skills, which can be useful in various areas of life.
In conclusion, while some argue that it is best to accept a favourable circumstance, others contend that it is better to try and improve it. While acceptance can be helpful in certain situations, in my view, taking action and striving for improvement is often the best course of action. By doing so, individuals can achieve better outcomes and build valuable skills that can be used in various areas of life.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use general uncountable form Original: a financial hardship Suggested revision: financial hardship Why it matters: The uncountable form is more natural when naming hardship as a general type of bad situation.
- 2. Remove unnecessary comma Original: as it is, and try Suggested revision: as it is and try Why it matters: A comma should not separate two coordinated verb phrases with the same subject.
- 3. Mark contrasting clauses Original: it while others Suggested revision: it, while others Why it matters: A comma is needed before 'while' when it links these contrasting independent clauses.
- 4. Use formal infinitive Original: try and improve the bad situation Suggested revision: try to improve a bad situation Why it matters: 'Try to improve' is more formal, and the indefinite article suits a general situation.
- 5. Clarify pronoun reference Original: believe that it can help Suggested revision: believe that acceptance can help Why it matters: Naming 'acceptance' removes ambiguity about what 'it' refers to.
- 6. Use natural quantity phrase Original: whatever little he has Suggested revision: the little he has Why it matters: 'The little he has' is the natural expression for a small existing amount.
- 7. Use direct noun Original: pay scale Suggested revision: pay Why it matters: 'Pay' directly names the individual's earnings, whereas 'pay scale' usually describes a structured range.
- 8. Use idiomatic plural Original: change the job Suggested revision: change jobs Why it matters: The idiomatic expression for moving to different employment is 'change jobs'.
- 9. Choose precise wording Original: a proper skillset Suggested revision: appropriate skills Why it matters: 'Appropriate skills' more precisely identifies the abilities needed for another job.
- 10. Add missing article Original: complacency and lack of motivation Suggested revision: complacency and a lack of motivation Why it matters: The countable noun phrase 'a lack' requires an article here.
- 11. Clarify intended meaning Original: thinking that he has nothing to do to earn more money Suggested revision: believing that he can do nothing to earn more money Why it matters: The replacement clearly expresses the belief that no effective action is available.
- 12. Correct contradictory adjective Original: a favourable circumstance Suggested revision: an unfavourable circumstance Why it matters: The discussion concerns accepting bad circumstances, so 'favourable' contradicts the intended meaning.
Suggested Rewrites
- a financial hardship financial hardship
- as it is, and try as it is and try
- it while others it, while others
- try and improve the bad situation try to improve a bad situation
- believe that it can help believe that acceptance can help
- whatever little he has the little he has
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response fully discusses both approaches and sustains a clear preference for active improvement, with relevant explanations and examples arranged in a logical sequence. Its main limitation is occasional imprecise or repetitive wording, most notably the contradictory reference to a favourable circumstance in the conclusion. The highest priority is to proofread key claims and replace repeated situation-related language with more exact alternatives.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
Both views are directly addressed, the opinion remains clear throughout, and each position receives relevant development and support.
Refine the final restatement so it accurately refers to an unfavourable circumstance and preserves the intended contrast.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through the two views to the writer's position, with clear paragraph purposes and controlled linking.
Reduce repeated references to situations and acceptance so progression feels even more concise and natural.
Lexical Resource
A broad and generally precise vocabulary supports nuanced discussion, although a few collocations and word choices are awkward or inaccurate.
Proofread for lexical precision, especially phrases such as change the job and the mistaken favourable circumstance.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of sentence structures is used accurately, with only occasional non-impeding punctuation and phrasing lapses.
Polish clause boundaries and article use in longer sentences to make an already strong level of control more consistent.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
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 these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.