Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-03

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)

In modern society, there is an ongoing debate about whether people experience more stress today than in the past. While some argue that modern life is filled with unique pressures that make stress a major problem, others believe that previous generations faced much harder challenges but simply did not use the word stress. In my opinion, although our ancestors faced severe physical hardships, the psychological stress of the modern world is a real and growing issue.

On the one hand, many people argue that modern life is inherently more stressful. This is largely due to the incredibly fast pace of today's world. For instance, the rise of technology and smartphones means that people are constantly connected to their workplaces. Consequently, they find it difficult to relax and disconnect from their professional responsibilities. Furthermore, the rising cost of living and intense competition for jobs add continuous psychological pressure. Therefore, it is understandable why many consider stress to be a severe problem in contemporary society.

On the other hand, some people claim that today's stress levels are greatly exaggerated. They point out that previous generations had to endure far more difficult circumstances, such as world wars, extreme poverty, and a lack of modern medicine. During those times, basic survival was the primary focus, and people did not have the luxury to worry about their mental health. Because the psychological concept of stress was not widely recognized, our ancestors simply dealt with their immense burdens without labeling them as mental health issues.

From my perspective, both views have merit, but modern stress should not be dismissed. While it is true that people in the past faced life-threatening physical dangers, the nature of pressure has evolved. Today's stress is chronic and psychological. We are constantly bombarded with information, social media expectations, and endless deadlines. Even though we might not be fighting for our physical survival, the continuous mental exhaustion is very real and damages our overall well-being.

In conclusion, while past generations certainly experienced extreme hardships without using the term stress, the mental pressures of modern life are unique. Therefore, I believe that the high levels of stress experienced by people today are not an exaggeration, but rather a different type of challenge that requires serious attention.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the view that modern stress is a major problem and the counter-argument that it is exaggerated—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the contrast between the physical hardships of the past and the chronic, psychological nature of modern stress. The introduction and conclusion effectively frame the argument, and the supporting examples, such as the impact of technology and the historical context of survival, are relevant and well-integrated.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', and 'on the other hand', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different stages of your discussion. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is consistently clear, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'inherently more stressful', 'chronic and psychological', and 'immense burdens' show a good command of collocation and academic tone. There are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is natural and sophisticated. You successfully avoid repetition and use a range of topic-specific vocabulary related to mental health and societal challenges, which contributes to the overall clarity and impact of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentence forms, such as conditional structures ('Even though we might not be...') and subordinate clauses, to convey nuanced ideas. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly throughout. There are no recurring grammatical errors that impede communication, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent with the requirements of the task. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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