Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-11

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some societies, stress is now regarded as a major problem, and it is thought that people suffer from more stress than they did in the past. However, others feel that the amount of stress people have today is exaggerated. They say that previous generations were under more pressure, but the idea of suffering from stress did not exist.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Stress is considered a major issue and nowadays, more people are suffering from it compared to the past generations. However, others argue that today stress is being exaggerated as previous generations also felt pressure but they did not express their sufferings. While the latter critics were correct about the existence of stress in the past, I believe that the amount of stress is higher today because of the advancement in technology and the rising competition in different sectors.

On the one hand, those who believe in exaggeration argue that the older generations have dealt with high pressure but they did not show their sufferings. They think that older generation had to face many crisis in terms of food, clean water, education, and better healthcare systems. In the past, there was a lack of technology and people had to survive on limited resources. That is why, they were under more pressure compared to current generation with advanced facilities. Critics also believe that the previous people did not able to express their sufferings due to the strict environment and living standards. For example, older people are tough and have a more stronger mentality if we compare them with the current young people. However, I think that the amount of stress people have today is not exaggerated because previously, people did not had to face tough competitions and the side effects of technology that is currently present.

On the other hand, proponents of the first opinion argue that the current population suffer from more stress and anxiety. I agree with this viewpoint because technological advancements provide people with a large number of facilities, for example, internet, mobile phones, laptops, and other gadgets. However, the severe side effects of using them sometimes outweigh their benefits. People tend to face mental health issues like depression, lack of self-esteem, lower confidence due to the fake life standards which are portrayed on social media platforms. Furthermore, today, there is a high level of competition among people in various sectors such as in universities and job market. This results in stress and anxiety among adults as they have to compete for career goals and to make a better livelihood. For instance, students studying at university face high pressure from the competition of getting first position and therefore, a high level of anxiety and depression are common among youth.

In conclusion, although previous generations were under pressure and they were not expressive but the idea of exaggeration is not valid. As I believe, that nowadays, there is a high level of stress exists among people due to technological advancements and the rise of competition.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address both views and state a clear position: although earlier generations faced pressure, you believe stress is greater today because of technology and competition. The discussion is relevant, and examples such as social-media comparisons and university competition help explain your view. The response also shows some of the development expected at a stronger level, but the two sides are not equally well supported. The point that earlier people faced shortages and limited services is listed rather than explored, and the claim that they were less expressive could be connected more directly to why stress may have been overlooked. Develop these ideas with specific explanation or evidence, and avoid broad claims such as older people having a stronger mentality without support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a conclusion that restates your position. Signposting such as “On the one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In conclusion” makes the progression easy to follow. This gives the response a sound logical arrangement, though some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, the first body paragraph moves from past shortages to people’s inability to express suffering, then to a comparison of older and younger people without fully linking these points. The contrast between “critics” and “proponents” is also repeated rather than varied. Use clearer references and add linking explanations so each example follows naturally from the claim it supports.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “mental health issues,” “self-esteem,” “technological advancements,” and “competition,” and your meaning remains clear. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “fake life standards” and “limited resources,” although some combinations are not natural or precise. Repetition of “stress,” “pressure,” and “people” limits flexibility, while phrases such as “the current population suffer” and “the competition of getting first position” show that word choice and collocation need closer control. Aim to use more natural expressions and vary key terms where appropriate. For instance, “social-media ideals” is more idiomatic than “fake life standards,” and “compete for top positions” is clearer than “competition of getting first position.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including contrast clauses with “although” and “while,” and cause-and-effect sentences such as “This results in stress and anxiety…” Most sentences communicate their meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. Examples include “older generation had to face” (missing an article), “many crisis” (plural agreement), “did not able to express” and “did not had to face” (incorrect verb forms), and “there is a high level of stress exists” (two competing clause structures). Subject–verb agreement also needs attention in “the current population suffer.” Review articles, plural forms, and auxiliary verbs, and check that each sentence has one clear main clause. More accurate control of these patterns would strengthen the range you already attempt.

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