Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-18

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)

Stress has become a major concern in many societies, and some people believe that individuals experience more stress today than in the past. Others, however, argue that previous generations faced greater pressure but were less aware of stress as a psychological issue. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that modern life has created new and significant sources of stress.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people today may experience higher levels of stress. Modern society is highly competitive, particularly in education and employment. Students often face intense academic pressure, while employees may have to work long hours and meet demanding deadlines. In addition, the rising cost of living can create financial difficulties for many families. Technology has also contributed to this problem because people are often expected to remain connected through smartphones, emails and social media, making it difficult to completely disconnect from work or social responsibilities. As a result, many individuals struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people today may experience higher levels of stress. Modern society is highly competitive, particularly in education and employment. Students often face intense academic pressure, while employees may have to work long hours and meet demanding deadlines. In addition, the rising cost of living can create financial difficulties for many families. Technology has also contributed to this problem because people are often expected to remain connected through smartphones, emails and social media, making it difficult to completely disconnect from work or social responsibilities. As a result, many individuals struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

In my opinion, although earlier generations faced serious hardships, modern society has created a different range of pressures that can be equally stressful. The constant demands of work, education, finances and digital communication can affect people's ability to relax and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

In conclusion, people in the past certainly faced significant difficulties, but modern lifestyles have introduced several new sources of stress. Although it is difficult to determine which generation experienced more stress, I believe that stress is a genuine and increasingly visible problem in contemporary society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student has successfully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both views—that modern stress is greater versus the view that previous generations suffered more without the label of stress—and has clearly stated their own opinion in the introduction and conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as academic pressure, long working hours, and the impact of technology like smartphones and social media. The position remains clear and consistent throughout the essay. The response fully satisfies the requirements for Task Achievement, earning a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression from introduction to body paragraphs and the conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic. However, a major flaw is noticed in the text: the entire second body paragraph ("On the one hand, there are several reasons...") has been accidentally duplicated word-for-word, which disrupts the logical flow and introduces unnecessary redundancy. Despite this mechanical error in compilation, the individual paragraphs use cohesive devices effectively (e.g., 'In addition', 'As a result', 'In my opinion'), and paragraphing is generally utilised to structure the argument, keeping the overall coherence acceptable.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'psychological issue', 'highly competitive', 'financial difficulties', and 'work-life balance' are used accurately. There are attempts to incorporate less common lexical items to discuss sociological and psychological concepts. While the vocabulary is not exceptionally sophisticated or varied throughout, it is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly without impeding communication, despite the repetitive text block.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay exhibits a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses effectively (e.g., 'Technology has also contributed to this problem because people are often expected to remain connected...'). Control over grammar and punctuation is generally sound. The sentences are mostly well-constructed, and grammatical errors are virtually absent in the unique portions of the text. Punctuation is accurate, and the majority of sentences are error-free, reflecting a solid command of grammar appropriate for a higher intermediate level.

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