Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-25

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 5.5)

Stress is always the major problem in most of the societies, weather it's from previous generations or present generations. In my opinion, today's generation are more stressed than previous ones because most of the people have financial problems , students are under pressure of gaining high score in schools.

One one hand, we discuss the first view where stress is now regarded as a major problem, and it is thought that people suffer from more stress than they did in the past. To some extent this statement is correct, this generation knows more about stress than the previous ones because we have access to internet, everyone knows about stress, depression and anxiety. Stress is now regarded as a major problem, because most of the people have financial problems, they are scared of unemployment. Students are under pressure of gaining high score in schools and then their own families member tell them to gain high score.

On other hand, we discuss the second view where people 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. This statement is correct, previous generations are under pressure but they don't have the idea of suffering from stress. They spend there whole life under pressure and don't even know about stress. We must agree that the previous generations are happier than present generations.

In conclusion, today's generation is more stressed because they know the meaning of stress.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views on stress—that modern life is more stressful and that previous generations suffered equally without labelling it as stress—and provides a clear personal opinion. The writer attempts to extend ideas regarding financial problems and student pressure, but these arguments remain somewhat repetitive and under-developed, relying on generalised statements rather than specific examples. For instance, the mention that 'families member tell them to gain high score' lacks depth. Because the essay touches upon all requirements with a discernible stance, it fits best within Band 6.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body paragraphs addressing each view, and a brief conclusion. However, paragraphing is somewhat rudimentary, and referencing can be repetitive. Transitional phrases are basic or occasionally mechanical, such as 'One one hand, we discuss the first view' and 'On other hand, we discuss the second view'. While logical progression exists, the phrasing used to signal transitions lacks the flexibility expected at higher bands. Cohesive devices are functional but basic, aligning the text securely with Band 5.5 or 6.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing terms such as 'financial problems', 'unemployment', 'depression', and 'anxiety'. However, there are noticeable word choice and spelling errors, such as 'weather' instead of 'whether', and awkward phrasing like 'families member'. The range is somewhat limited and repetitive, with frequent recycling of core words like 'stress', 'pressure', and 'generation'. These lexical limitations and occasional inaccuracies restrict the score to Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The essay features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures are often punctuated incorrectly or prone to error. There are several run-on sentences and comma splices, such as 'most of the people have financial problems , students are under pressure...' and tense shifts like 'previous generations are under pressure' when discussing the past. While basic meaning is generally clear, frequent grammatical inaccuracies and punctuation errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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