Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

In many countries, stress is considered a serious feature of modern life. While some people believe that people today face more pressure than previous generations, others argue that earlier generations experienced equally difficult conditions but did not identify them as stress. This essay will discuss both views before arguing that modern life creates a particularly constant form of psychological pressure.

On the one hand, there are convincing reasons to believe that stress has increased. Modern employees are often expected to remain available outside working hours through emails, messaging applications and mobile phones. In addition, many people face insecure employment, expensive housing and intense competition in education and the workplace. Social media can also make individuals feel unsuccessful by encouraging them to compare their ordinary lives with carefully selected images of others’ achievements. As a result, people may find it difficult to mentally disconnect from work and personal worries.

On the other hand, previous generations frequently lived under conditions that were, in many respects, more severe. Many people performed physically demanding work for long hours and had little protection from illness, unemployment or poverty. In some parts of the world, families also experienced war, food shortages and limited access to medical care. These problems may have placed enormous pressure on individuals, even if psychological stress was not widely discussed or given a formal name.

In my view, stress is not a uniquely modern problem, since hardship has always existed. However, contemporary stress may be more persistent because technology, financial concerns and work demands can follow people into their homes and occupy their thoughts continuously. Earlier generations faced major difficulties too, but modern society has created new pressures that are less visible yet often harder to escape.

In conclusion, both past and present generations have encountered serious forms of pressure. Nevertheless, I believe that the constant and connected nature of modern life makes stress a more widespread problem today.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the view that modern stress is greater and the counter-argument that previous generations faced more severe hardships—while maintaining a clear, consistent personal position throughout. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the contrast between the physical hardships of the past and the 'persistent' nature of modern psychological pressure. The essay is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt's requirements for discussion and opinion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'In addition', and 'Nevertheless'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. The flow of information is natural, and referencing is precise, ensuring the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning. The use of cohesive devices is flexible and unobtrusive, contributing to a coherent and well-organized piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'psychological pressure', 'insecure employment', 'mentally disconnect', and 'persistent' show a strong command of topic-specific language. Your word choices are accurate and natural, fitting the academic tone required for this task. There are no significant errors in collocation or spelling, and the vocabulary is used with sufficient sophistication to convey complex ideas clearly. The range is more than adequate for the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some people believe that...', '...even if psychological stress was not widely discussed...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. You successfully integrate different sentence types to maintain interest and clarity. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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