Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Stress is widely regarded as a defining problem of contemporary life, yet opinions differ on whether it is genuinely more severe today than in earlier eras or whether this perception is overstated. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.

Those who believe modern stress is unprecedented point to the accelerating pace of contemporary life. Constant connectivity through smartphones and email means people are rarely able to switch off from work obligations, while job insecurity, rising living costs, and social media comparison create pressures that previous generations simply did not face. For example, many employees now feel compelled to respond to messages outside working hours, blurring the boundary between personal and professional life in a way that would have been unimaginable fifty years ago.

On the other hand, some argue that earlier generations endured comparable or even greater hardships, including wars, famine, manual labour, and limited access to medicine, but lacked the vocabulary and awareness to label their suffering as "stress." According to this view, the concept is not new but simply better recognised and discussed today, partly because psychology has evolved as a field and mental health has become a legitimate topic of public conversation rather than a taboo.

In my opinion, both perspectives contain merit, but the second is more persuasive. While the sources of stress have certainly changed, human beings have always faced significant burdens, whether from war, poverty, or survival itself. What has genuinely shifted is our willingness to name and address psychological suffering, supported by greater scientific understanding and reduced stigma.

In conclusion, although modern life presents its own distinct stressors, it is inaccurate to assume past generations were free from comparable pressures. The real change lies in our improved recognition and articulation of stress, not necessarily its severity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on modern and historical stress in a balanced manner. The writer successfully presents a clear position throughout the essay, concluding that while sources of stress have shifted, the fundamental human experience of burden has not, and that the modern era is characterised by better recognition rather than necessarily greater severity. Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as constant digital connectivity and smartphones in the second paragraph, as well as historical hardships like famine and manual labour in the third. The arguments are extended logically and supported with appropriate reasoning, meeting the criteria for a high band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a concise introduction, moving to the first view, the opposing view, the writer's personal opinion, and concluding with a succinct summary. Cohesive devices are managed skilfully and naturally without being obtrusive, as seen in transition phrases like 'Those who believe modern stress...', 'On the other hand...', and 'In my opinion, both perspectives contain merit'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different arguments and viewpoints, contributing to a seamless and coherent reading experience.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The student employs a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic discussion on stress and psychology. Uncommon lexical items such as 'unprecedented', 'accelerating pace', 'job insecurity', 'blurring the boundary', and 'taboo' are used with a high degree of precision. Word choice and collocations are natural throughout, for instance, 'scientific understanding' and 'reduced stigma'. There are virtually no lexical errors or inappropriate collocations, showcasing a sophisticated control over vocabulary that meets the standards of higher band levels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with a high level of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, featuring sophisticated constructions such as subordinate clauses ('Constant connectivity through smartphones and email means people are rarely able...') and participial phrases ('supported by greater scientific understanding and reduced stigma'). Control over punctuation and tense consistency is exemplary. Although there might be minor slips possible upon deep scrutiny, the grammatical execution here is robust and allows for fluid communication of complex ideas, comfortably securing a high band score.

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