Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 15 · 2026-09-30

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 struggle to get enough sleep because of busy lifestyles, stress, and excessive use of electronic devices. Lack of sleep can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. However, there are several effective ways to improve sleeping habits.

One major problem caused by insufficient sleep is poor concentration. People who do not sleep well often find it difficult to focus on their studies or work and may make more mistakes. It can also lead to tiredness, irritability, and reduced productivity during the day. In the long term, regularly getting too little sleep may negatively affect physical health and increase the risk of various health problems. For example, students who stay awake late using their phones may feel exhausted in class and have difficulty remembering what they have studied.

There are several ways to address this issue. First, people should establish a regular sleeping schedule by going to bed and waking up at similar times every day. They should also avoid using phones, computers, and other screens shortly before bedtime because these activities can make it harder to relax. In addition, reducing caffeine in the evening and exercising regularly can help improve sleep quality. Creating a quiet, dark, and comfortable bedroom can also make a significant difference.

In conclusion, lack of sleep can reduce concentration, affect mood, and cause long term health problems. By following a consistent routine, limiting screen time, and maintaining healthy daily habits, people can improve both the amount and quality of their sleep.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by identifying both the problems caused by lack of sleep, such as poor concentration and long-term health risks, and providing viable solutions, including establishing a sleep schedule and limiting screen time. The position is clear throughout, and ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as students staying awake late using phones. The arguments flow logically from the introduction through the body paragraphs and into the conclusion, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the task requirements. The response meets all the positive descriptors for Band 7, as it covers all parts of the task with clear extension and support of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to the problems, then the solutions, and finally the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One major problem', 'There are several ways', 'First', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the text without being overly mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively, with each main point housed in its own well-structured paragraph. Referencing is clear and logical, maintaining strong cohesion across sentences. This aligns well with the criteria for a Band 7 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully using terms such as 'insufficient sleep', 'irritability', 'productivity', and 'establish a regular sleeping schedule'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, and while most word choices are accurate, some phrases remain slightly standard or repetitive. Spelling and word formation are accurate throughout the essay, and communication is never impeded. The lexical range is sufficient for some flexibility and precision, placing it firmly at Band 6.5, which rounds to a solid Band 7 when considering the natural control of the chosen vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The writer uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively, such as in 'People who do not sleep well often find it difficult...' and 'Students who stay awake late using their phones may feel exhausted...'. Grammar and punctuation are handled with good control, and there are frequent error-free sentences throughout the response. The minor errors that do occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical range and accuracy demonstrate strong control over complex sentence forms, matching the descriptors for a Band 7 score.

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