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 individuals contend that modern life inflicts unprecedented levels of psychological strain, others argue that contemporary stress is overstated compared to the severe hardship endured by previous generations. I believe that while historical eras presented harsher physical survival threats, modern society generates unique cognitive and social pressure that makes today's stress equally significant albeit fundamentally different in nature.

Proponents of the view that past generation faced greater pressure highlight the extreme existential challenges of earlier eras. Historical periods were marked by widespread poverty, limited medical infrastructure, physical labor and geopolitical conflicts. Those generations endured severe life-threatening conditions without identifying them as "stress", largely because survival was the paramount priority and psychological health was rarely discussed. Consequently, skeptics view current complains as exaggerated, attributing them to heightened self-awareness rather than an actual increase in adversity.

Conversely, modern society has introduced novel, pervasive stressors that particularly impact mental health well-being. The rapid pace of contemporary life, hyper-connected digital environments, and continuous exposure to social media create relentless pressure to achieve perfection and career success. Furthermore, the modern economy demands constant adaptability and cognitive performance, leading to chronic mental exhaustion. Unlike past physical burdens that ceased after working hours, digital connectivity ensures that modern psychological stress remains active continuously.

In conclusion, comparing stress across eras requires a shift in its character rather than its magnitude. Prior generations endured greater physical sufferings and existential vulnerability, whereas contemporary individuals face relentless mental strain and social expectation. Ultimately modern stress is far from exaggerated; it represents a real evolution of pressure adapted to complexities of the 21st century.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives on the nature of stress and providing a clear, consistent personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the contrast between the physical survival threats of the past and the cognitive, digital-age pressures of the present. The argument is logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of 'hyper-connected digital environments' and 'limited medical infrastructure'. The position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout, leading to a balanced and thoughtful conclusion. The response fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

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, facilitated by effective cohesive devices like 'Conversely' and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The use of paragraphing is appropriate, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall argument. The cohesion is managed well, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, demonstrating a wide range of lexical items appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'unprecedented levels of psychological strain', 'existential vulnerability', and 'chronic mental exhaustion' show a high level of control. The writer uses less common items with awareness of style and collocation. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. The language is fluent and flexible, contributing to a professional and persuasive tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including the effective use of subordinate clauses and participial phrases (e.g., 'Unlike past physical burdens that ceased after working hours...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are only very occasional, minor slips, such as the missing article in 'impact mental health well-being' (should be 'the mental health'), but these do not detract from the overall clarity or sophistication of the writing. The grammatical control is consistent and accurate.

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