Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-15

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)

Nowadays, many people complain that they do not get enough sleep. This is serious problem because sleep is important for both physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can cause several peoblems, but there are few simple ways to improve sleep habits.

To begin with, one major problem caused by a lack of sleep is tiredness during the day. People may find it difficult to concentrate at work or school. They can also make more mistakes and have slower reactions. In addition, poor sleep can affect a person's mood. They may feel angry, stressed or unhapply. If this problem continues for a long time, it can also increase the risk of health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

There are several ways to get better sleep. First, people should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. They should also avoid using phones and computers before going to bed. Drinking coffee or other drinks with caffeine in the evening should also be avoided. Regular exercise and a quiet, clean bedroom can help people sleep better.

People should also try to reduce stress. For example, they can make a plan for the next day, listen to calm music, or read a book before sleeping. If someone has serious sleep problems for a long time, they should talk to a doctor.

In conclusion, lack of sleep can affect people's health, mood and daily performance. By following a regular routine and making healthy lifestyle changes, people can improve their sleep and enjoy a better quality of life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly identifying both the problems caused by a lack of sleep (such as daytime tiredness, reduced concentration, mood changes, and long-term health risks like obesity and diabetes) and offering actionable solutions (maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding screens and caffeine, exercising, and reducing stress). The position is clear throughout, and the ideas are well supported with logical explanations and practical examples, such as 'making a plan for the next day' or 'listening to calm music'. The response meets all the requirements of a well-developed general task 2 essay, earning a solid Band 7.0 for fully answering the prompt with relevant, extended ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: introduction, problems, solutions (lifestyle changes), stress reduction, and conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the text, such as 'To begin with', 'In addition', 'First', and 'For example'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct arguments clearly. Referencing is generally clear, though occasional transitional links could be slightly more sophisticated to reach higher band levels. Overall, the structural flow is smooth and easy to follow, justifying a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Phrases like 'physical and mental health', 'reduce stress', 'quality of life', and 'increase the risk of health problems' show a sufficient grasp of common lexical items. However, there are a few noticeable spelling and lexical errors, such as 'peoblems' instead of 'problems' and 'unhapply' instead of 'unhappy'. While the writer attempts some less common vocabulary ('obesity', 'diabetes'), the overall range remains fairly standard and safe rather than wide or sophisticated. These minor mechanical and range limitations place the lexical resource firmly at a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over basic sentence structures and incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'If this problem continues for a long time, it can also increase the risk...'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled competently. However, a few minor slips occur, such as the missing article in 'This is serious problem' in the opening paragraph. The range of complex structures is somewhat restricted, but the grammatical control is strong enough that meaning is never impeded. This performance aligns well with the Band 6.5 descriptors.

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