Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

In recent year sleep deprivation has become a common issue affecting millions of individuals globally. Modern lifestyles, heavy work pressure and digital distractions have significantly contributed to the reduced average sleeping hours. This problem can lead to serve physical and mental consequences, but several effective measures can be implemented to address it.

The consequences of sleep deprivation are both physical and mental. Firstly, chronic sleep deprivation severely impairs cognitive function. When individuals did not get enough sleep, their concentration, memory retention and decision making disability suffer, leading to reduced productivity at work or school. Secondly long-term sleep deprivation negatively impact physical health like fatigue, weight gain etc. Medical research links sleep deprivation to a weakened immune system, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and mental disorder like depression and anxiety.

To combat this growing issue, a serious strategy must be adopted, On a individual level they should limit their screen time at least an hour before bed, as the blue-light emission from smart-phones and computers makes it harder to sleep. On a corporate level, employees must be trained to follow a healthier working strategy like over-time working should be avoided, promoting a healthier work-life balance.

In conclusion, while lack of sleep poses serious threats to personal health and daily performance, it can be mitigated. By adopting healthier bedtime habits and encouraging a cultural shift toward prioritizing rest, individuals can successfully restore their sleep quality and overall quality of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the consequences of sleep deprivation and potential solutions. However, the essay falls short of the 250-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the development of ideas. While the points regarding cognitive impairment and physical health are relevant, they are somewhat brief. Similarly, the solutions provided—limiting screen time and corporate policy changes—are logical but could be expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis to fully satisfy the task requirements. The position is clear throughout, but the lack of sufficient length prevents a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through the argument. However, there are some minor mechanical issues, such as the comma splice in the third paragraph ('...must be adopted, On a individual level...'). Additionally, the transition between ideas is sometimes a bit abrupt. Overall, the progression of ideas is coherent, and paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with some good topic-specific terms like 'cognitive function', 'memory retention', and 'cardiovascular diseases'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'serve physical and mental consequences' (should be 'severe') and 'decision making disability' (which is awkward phrasing). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Some repetition of the phrase 'sleep deprivation' is noted, though it is the central topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist. For example, 'In recent year' should be 'In recent years', and 'When individuals did not get enough sleep' should be 'do not get' to maintain consistent tense. There is also an error in subject-verb agreement: 'long-term sleep deprivation negatively impact' should be 'impacts'. Despite these errors, the sentence structures are varied enough to communicate the intended message without significant difficulty for the reader.

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

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