Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-11

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 7.5)

While some argue that modern society faces unprecedented levels of stress, others maintain that past generations endured greater pressure and today's stress is overstated due to higher awareness. In my opinion, although previous generations faced severe physical hardships, contemporary life creates higher levels of mental stress.

On the one hand, modern life imposes relentless psychological pressure. Constant digital connectivity prevents people from disconnecting from work, leading to chronic anxiety and burnout. Furthermore, rising living costs and career competition create continuous financial strain. For example, many young professionals today work sixty-hour weeks while managing gig-economy jobs just to afford basic rent, creating constant emotional tension that rarely existed in traditional workplace structures.

On the other hand, critics contend that historical generations endured far greater struggles, including severe poverty, manual labor, and widespread disease without modern healthcare. They argue that stress is not more prevalent today, but simply more recognized. In the past, mental health was seldom discussed, and hardship was accepted as an inevitable part of existence, meaning individuals endured immense suffering without formally labeling it as stress. Consequently, the shift from physical toil to non-stop mental processing has made modern stress far more pervasive and difficult to manage.

In conclusion, while past generations unquestionably faced harsher physical conditions, I believe modern society generates unique psychological pressures. The absence of work-life boundaries and continuous socioeconomic instability make stress a genuinely greater issue today rather than an exaggerated concept and As a result, comparing the two eras reveals that human suffering has not diminished over time, but rather evolved in its nature.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly presented both viewpoints—the modern perspective on stress and the historical counter-argument—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the contrast between physical hardship in the past and the psychological nature of modern stress. The argument is logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of digital connectivity and the gig economy. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response is balanced and focused. You have successfully met the requirements of the task by providing a clear, well-reasoned discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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, using effective cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of the argument is natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The relationship between sentences is clear, and the overall structure of the essay is coherent, making it easy for the reader to follow your line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'unprecedented levels of stress', 'relentless psychological pressure', 'chronic anxiety', and 'pervasive' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good command of collocations and academic tone throughout the piece. You avoid repetition and use a variety of sophisticated terms to convey your ideas effectively. The vocabulary is well-suited to the task and contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your argument. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use a variety of sentence types, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some argue that...', 'Although previous generations faced...'). Punctuation is generally accurate, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is excellent. There is one minor error in the final paragraph ('...concept and As a result...'), where the conjunction usage is slightly awkward, but this is a rare slip and does not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, reflecting a high level of grammatical control.

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