Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-23

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)

It is often argued that stress has become a more serious issue in modern society than it was in the past, with many believing that people today endure greater psychological strain. However, others contend that this perception is exaggerated, pointing out that earlier generations faced considerable hardship without ever using the term "stress." This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view.

On the one hand, several factors support the view that people suffer more stress today than in the past. To begin with, the rising cost of living places significant financial pressure on both younger and older generations, particularly as wages often fail to keep pace with everyday expenses. Moreover, the modern workplace is characterised by intense competition and job insecurity, as companies increasingly favour highly skilled candidates, leaving many employees anxious about long-term job stability. Furthermore, constant connectivity through smartphones and social media means people are rarely able to switch off, creating a persistent, low-level pressure that previous generations never experienced.

On the other hand, some argue that this view is overstated. This is largely because earlier generations endured hardships such as wars, famine, and daily survival struggles, which arguably caused far greater strain than most people face today, despite the absence of the term "stress" at the time. What is more, a lack of awareness or vocabulary surrounding mental health does not mean earlier generations felt less pressure — it simply means their suffering went unrecognised rather than unfelt. On top of this, modern comforts such as advanced healthcare, technology, and social safety nets have significantly reduced the physical hardship people once endured, a privilege previous generations simply did not have access to.

In my view, while past generations undoubtedly endured immense hardship, the psychological toll of constant digital connectivity and modern-day competition represents a genuinely new and pervasive form of stress that did not exist before, making today's struggles no less valid despite differing in nature.

To conclude, while it is true that earlier generations faced severe physical and survival-based challenges, the unique psychological pressures introduced by modern technology and economic competition mean that stress today is a distinct, and equally serious, concern.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. The student successfully discusses both views regarding whether stress is a new, growing problem or if past generations suffered equally without the label. A clear and well-developed position is established in the introduction and maintained throughout the essay. Main ideas are extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the rising cost of living, workplace competition, constant digital connectivity, and historical hardships like wars and famines. The reasoning flows logically into a well-considered personal viewpoint in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently sequenced, starting with an introduction, followed by well-defined body paragraphs examining each perspective, a personal view, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, with markers like 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' guiding the reader smoothly between arguments. Paragraphing is used skillfully, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct, central theme.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide and flexible lexical range that allows for precise expression of ideas. Less common vocabulary items and collocation phrases such as 'psychological strain', 'job insecurity', 'persistent, low-level pressure', and 'pervasive form of stress' are used skillfully. Word choice is generally accurate and natural, contributing to the sophisticated tone of the essay. While occasional minor slips may occur, they never impede communication, placing the response comfortably in the Band 8 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the writer handles subordinate clauses, participial phrases, and conditional ideas with confidence, as seen in sentences like 'Moreover, the modern workplace is characterised by intense competition... leaving many employees anxious...' Punctuation is well-controlled throughout, and only very occasional minor structural awkwardness appears, which does not interfere with the overall fluency of the text.

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