Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-08-14

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 6.5)

Not getting proper or sufficient sleep has become an increasingly serious issue in many parts of the world. This essay will examine the main causes of this problem, such as working long hours or stress, and suggest several possible solutions, such as maintaining work-life balance or doing exercise and meditation.

One of the primary causes of this issue is working overtime or long hours. This is because many of the corporate jobs have demanding work schedules; workers have to complete the given tasks on certain deadlines. For example, the constant pressure of meeting deadlines and getting noticed by the employer to increase chances of their promotion or raise. Another contributing factor is that working long hours doesn't give time for them to get relaxed, recharge, and spend time with their family and friends to enjoy and feel happy. Moreover, constant fear of getting laid off from work can lead to anxiety and stress, causing troubled sleeping.

Several measures can be taken to address these problems. The most effective solution would be to maintain work-life balance. This could be achieved by employers implementing policies for the betterment of their employees and also setting up achievable goals without burdening them with additional tasks or unachievable deadlines. In addition, performing activities like playing games or doing exercise or meditation helps in reducing the stress and keeps an individual focused without overthinking. Also, spending time with family and friends helps in releasing the happy hormone inside the body.

In conclusion, difficulty in getting enough sleep is mainly caused by working long hours and stress. However, this issue can be addressed through spending time with family and friends and also by implementing proper policies in the workplace.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the problems caused by lack of sleep and potential solutions. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented. However, the prompt asks for the problems lack of sleep can cause, but the essay focuses primarily on the causes of sleep deprivation (work stress) rather than the consequences (e.g., health issues, cognitive decline, or safety risks). While the introduction mentions examining causes, the body paragraphs do not sufficiently detail the negative impacts of sleep loss. To reach a higher band, you should dedicate a paragraph to the specific consequences of sleep deprivation, such as reduced productivity or physical health problems, rather than focusing solely on the causes.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate causes from solutions. Cohesive devices such as 'One of the primary causes', 'Moreover', and 'In addition' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly repetitive or mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the link between the causes and the solutions could be more nuanced to improve the overall flow. The referencing is generally clear, and the essay maintains a consistent focus throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The range of vocabulary is adequate for the task. You use some topic-specific terms like 'work-life balance', 'anxiety', and 'overthinking'. However, the vocabulary is somewhat limited and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'work' and 'getting'. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items. For example, instead of 'getting relaxed', use 'unwind' or 'decompress'. The word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication, but it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and errors are infrequent. However, there are some minor issues with article usage and phrasing, such as 'the happy hormone inside the body' or 'getting noticed by the employer to increase chances of their promotion'. Some sentences are slightly clunky, such as 'working long hours doesn't give time for them to get relaxed'. While you attempt complex structures, they are not always perfectly executed. Increasing the variety of complex sentence forms and ensuring greater precision in punctuation would help elevate your score.

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

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