Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-22

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 contemporary society, stress has emerged as a major topic of debate. While many argue that modern life subjects individuals to unprecedented levels of psychological strain, others believe that the prevalence of stress today is highly exaggerated, pointing out that previous generations faced much harsher pressures without labeling them as "stress." In my opinion, while ancestral generations endured more severe physical and economic hardships, the unique nature of modern life introduces a constant, pervasive psychological pressure that makes today’s stress a genuinely distinct and valid crisis.On the one hand, there is a strong case to be made that modern society is plagued by a unique set of stressors. The digital age has brought about an "always-on" culture, where the boundaries between professional and personal life have completely blurred. For instance, smartphones and emails mean employees are accessible to employers around the clock, leading to chronic burnout. Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological change and economic instability forces individuals into a state of perpetual competition and uncertainty. Social media also exacerbates this by fostering a culture of constant comparison, where people feel inadequate looking at the curated lives of others, creating a modern form of psychological anxiety that simply did not exist in the past.On the other hand, skeptics argue that modern stress is exaggerated and that past generations faced far greater adversities. Historically, people had to endure global wars, deadly pandemics without advanced medicine, extreme poverty, and grueling physical labor just to survive. A century ago, a crop failure could mean starvation for an entire family. Proponents of this view argue that because previous generations lacked the modern vocabulary of mental health, they simply practiced resilience and got on with life. From this perspective, today’s "stress" is often seen as a byproduct of a more comfortable, privileged lifestyle where minor inconveniences are amplified into major psychological issues.In my view, both perspectives hold merit, but they refer to different types of pressure. Past generations undoubtedly faced severe, acute threats to survival, but these were often clear, tangible, and communally shared. In contrast, modern stress is largely cognitive, invisible, and isolating. While we may not worry about immediate starvation, we worry about long-term career stagnation, financial inflation, and digital isolation. The human brain is not wired for the constant influx of information and the endless choices of the 21st century, which keeps our nervous systems in a state of low-grade, perpetual alertness.In conclusion, while it is unfair to dismiss the immense physical struggles of our ancestors, it is equally inaccurate to call modern stress an exaggeration. The pressures of the past were about physical survival, whereas the pressures of today are a complex web of psychological demands. Therefore, modern stress is a very real problem born out of the structural realities of contemporary life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views on modern versus historical stress and clearly presenting a well-developed personal opinion. The writer presents a strong position throughout the essay, introducing nuanced arguments regarding the qualitative differences between physical hardships of the past and psychological pressures of today. Ideas are thoroughly extended and supported with relevant, contemporary examples such as the digital 'always-on' culture, economic instability, and social media comparison. The arguments are logical, persuasive, and completely relevant to the task, fulfilling all requirements of the Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently sequenced, moving smoothly from the introduction to the first view, the opposing view, the writer's nuanced perspective, and a concise conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each body paragraph focusing on a distinct sub-topic. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and accurately (e.g., 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'Historically', 'In contrast'), and referencing is well managed, ensuring that the flow of ideas is never disrupted. This performance strongly aligns with Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on stress and society. Less common lexical items are used skilfully and with good awareness of collocation and style, such as 'unprecedented levels of psychological strain', 'chronic burnout', 'perpetual competition', and 'low-grade, perpetual alertness'. Word choice is generally precise and natural, with only rare, minor inaccuracies that do not impede communication. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text, comfortably securing a Band 8 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response showcases a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of flexibility and accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic constructions such as participial phrases ('fostering a culture of constant comparison') and complex conditional and concessive clauses. Control of grammar and punctuation is excellent, with only very occasional, non-systematic slips that do not affect the clarity or flow of the argument. This level of grammatical control meets the criteria for Band 8.

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