Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-07-31

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 8.5)

In many societies, stress has become a significant concern, and some people believe that individuals experience greater levels of stress today compared with the past. However, others argue that the impact of stress in modern life is exaggerated and that earlier generations faced more difficult circumstances without identifying them as stress-related problems. This essay will discuss both perspectives before explaining my own view.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people believe that stress is more common nowadays. Modern lifestyles are often fast-paced, and people have to manage multiple responsibilities, including demanding jobs, financial pressures, and personal commitments. In addition, the widespread use of technology and social media can increase stress by creating pressure to constantly stay connected and compare oneself with others. Furthermore, the high cost of living in many countries has made it more challenging for people to achieve financial stability.

On the other hand, some people argue that stress today is overstated because previous generations experienced more severe hardships. In the past, many individuals had to deal with difficult working conditions, poverty, wars, and limited healthcare, yet they continued their lives without discussing mental stress. They believe that modern society has become more aware of emotional problems and sometimes labels normal difficulties as stress. As a result, they feel that the amount of stress people experience today is exaggerated.

In my opinion, although previous generations faced serious challenges, it is incorrect to assume that modern stress is not a real issue. The nature of stress has changed rather than simply increased or decreased. Today, people may not face the same physical hardships as earlier generations, but they experience different pressures related to work, competition, financial demands, and social expectations. Greater awareness of stress should be considered a positive development because it encourages people to seek support and improve their well-being.

In conclusion, while some believe that stress in modern society is exaggerated and that earlier generations experienced greater difficulties, I believe that stress is a genuine problem today. Although the causes have changed over time, people continue to face significant pressures that affect their lives.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the view that modern stress is a major problem and the counter-argument that it is exaggerated compared to the hardships of the past. Your own position is clearly stated in the introduction and consistently maintained throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between physical hardships of the past and the psychological pressures of the modern era. The arguments are supported with relevant examples, such as the impact of technology and social media, which provides a balanced and thoughtful analysis of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'As a result', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each viewpoint, a personal opinion paragraph, and a concise conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'fast-paced', 'financial stability', 'severe hardships', and 'social expectations' are used accurately and in the correct context. You show an awareness of style by using more sophisticated terminology rather than simple, repetitive words. While the vocabulary is consistently appropriate and clear, there is room to incorporate even more idiomatic or less common collocations to reach the highest band, but the current range is more than adequate for a high-scoring response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a good command of both simple and complex sentence structures. You use a variety of grammatical forms, including conditional structures and complex noun phrases, with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of your sentences. There are virtually no grammatical errors, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is excellent, contributing to a very readable and professional tone throughout the text.

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