Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-01

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 8.5)

In recent decades, stress has come to be viewed by many as a defining feature of modern life, though opinions remain divided over whether this represents a genuine increase in suffering or simply a shift in how we label old pressures.

Those who believe stress has worsened point to the accelerated pace of contemporary existence. Constant connectivity through smartphones and email means work now intrudes on personal time in ways previous generations never experienced, while financial pressures such as housing costs and job insecurity have intensified in many countries. Furthermore, social media has introduced a new source of psychological strain, as people are continually exposed to curated images of others' success, fostering feelings of inadequacy that simply did not exist before the digital age.

On the other hand, those who regard the issue as exaggerated argue that earlier generations endured comparable, if not greater, hardships — wars, famine, and extreme poverty, for instance — without having a vocabulary to articulate their distress. They contend that "stress" has become a fashionable label applied to ordinary difficulties, and that heightened awareness of mental health, rather than any genuine rise in hardship, explains why the term is invoked so frequently today.

In my view, both perspectives contain some truth, but modern stress deserves to be taken seriously on its own terms. While past generations undoubtedly faced severe adversity, the chronic, low-level nature of today's stressors — constant digital demands, blurred boundaries between work and rest — represents a distinct and arguably more insidious form of pressure precisely because it rarely lets up. The fact that we now name it does not diminish its reality; if anything, naming it has allowed societies to begin addressing it meaningfully, through workplace policies and greater openness about mental health.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a fully developed discussion of both views alongside a clear, well-supported personal position. The introduction skillfully sets the context, while the body paragraphs thoroughly examine both sides of the argument—highlighting technological and financial pressures on one hand, and historical hardships on the other. Ideas are well supported with relevant examples such as smartphones, social media, wars, and famine. The conclusion synthesises these viewpoints adeptly by arguing that modern, chronic stressors represent a distinct, insidious form of pressure. All parts of the prompt are addressed thoroughly, with logical extensions of ideas that fulfill the requirements of the task with great precision and depth.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction through the two contrasting viewpoints to the final conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, starting with a strong thematic focus, such as "Those who believe stress has worsened" and "On the other hand, those who regard the issue as exaggerated". Cohesive devices are used skillfully and unobtrusively throughout the text, including markers like "Furthermore", "On the other hand", and "While past generations undoubtedly faced". Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the essay flows smoothly from one idea to the next without any mechanical or awkward transitions, resulting in an exceptionally readable and coherent piece of writing.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary, employing sophisticated lexical items with great natural control. Uncommon terms and collocation phrases such as "accelerated pace of contemporary existence", "constant connectivity", "curated images of others' success", and "insidious form of pressure" are used with precision and stylistic awareness. Word choice is exceptionally apt, and there are virtually no inaccuracies in spelling, word formation, or collocation. The vocabulary significantly enhances the sophistication of the arguments, allowing the writer to articulate subtle nuances regarding mental health and historical hardship effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used with a high degree of flexibility and control. The majority of sentences are entirely error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic constructions such as participial phrases ("fostering feelings of inadequacy that simply did not exist before the digital age"), concessive clauses, and varied subordination. Punctuation is handled flawlessly to guide the reader through long, complex sentences. Grammar and agreement are exceptionally accurate throughout, with only very occasional minor slips, reflecting a command of English grammar that sustains clear, precise communication from start to finish.

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