IELTS Writing Task 2: Mental Health – Band 7.5 Sample with Full Breakdown
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Prompt
Some people believe that mental health should be given the same importance as physical health. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You should write at least 250 words. Give relevant, supported ideas and use formal language.
Band 7.5 Sample Answer
Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and I strongly believe it should receive equal attention to physical health. This issue is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced society where stress and anxiety are prevalent. I will examine the reasons why mental health should be prioritized and the benefits of doing so.
Firstly, mental health significantly impacts an individual's quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. When people suffer from mental health issues, their ability to function effectively in daily life is compromised. This can lead to a ripple effect, affecting not only the individual but also their families, friends, and colleagues. For example, a person struggling with depression may find it challenging to maintain relationships or perform well at work, which can create additional stress and exacerbate the problem.
Secondly, addressing mental health can lead to numerous societal benefits. Countries that invest in mental health services tend to have healthier, more productive populations. For instance, Finland has implemented comprehensive mental health policies, resulting in lower rates of absenteeism and higher levels of overall well-being. By providing access to counseling, therapy, and other support services, societies can reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and encourage people to seek help when needed. This proactive approach can prevent more severe problems from developing and improve the overall mental health of the population.
In conclusion, mental health deserves the same level of importance as physical health. The evidence clearly shows that prioritizing mental health leads to better individual outcomes and societal benefits. Governments, employers, and communities should work together to create environments that support mental well-being and provide necessary resources for those in need.
Scoring Breakdown
Task Response (TR): 7.0
- Presents a clear position throughout the response
- Provides relevant, extended, and supported ideas
- Presents a clear conclusion
Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0
- Uses a mix of linking words accurately
- Arranges information and ideas logically
- Uses cohesive devices effectively
Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0
- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas precisely
- Employs a mix of common and less common lexical items
- Attempts to use less common vocabulary but with some inaccuracies
Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Makes only occasional errors in grammar and punctuation
- Maintains overall fluency and coherence
Vocabulary Highlights
- Critical (adjective): of decisive importance - *The critical aspect of mental health is often overlooked.
- Prevalent (adjective): widespread or common at a particular time or in a particular area - *Stress and anxiety are prevalent in today's society.
- Compromised (adjective): weakened or damaged - *His ability to function effectively was compromised by his mental health issues.
- Exacerbate (verb): to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse - *The additional stress exacerbated his depression.
- Comprehensive (adjective): including or dealing with all or nearly all aspects of something - *Finland has implemented comprehensive mental health policies.
- Absenteeism (noun): the practice of regularly staying away from work - *Countries with good mental health policies have lower rates of absenteeism.
- Stigma (noun): a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person - *Reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues is crucial.
- Proactive (adjective): taking action to control a situation rather than just responding to it after it has happened - *A proactive approach can prevent more severe problems from developing.
- Well-being (noun): the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy - *Countries that invest in mental health services tend to have higher levels of well-being.
- Convey (verb): to communicate an idea, thought, or feeling - *She used a range of vocabulary to convey her ideas precisely.
- Precisely (adverb): in exact terms; accurately - *He conveyed his thoughts precisely.
- Inaccuracies (noun): the state or condition of being not accurate or exact - *The essay contained some inaccuracies in vocabulary usage.
- Fluency (noun): the ability to speak or write a language easily and well - *Her writing showed a high level of fluency.
- Coherence (noun): the quality of being logical and consistent - *The essay maintained overall coherence despite some grammatical errors.
- Decisive (adjective): settling an issue; producing a conclusive or important result - *The evidence provided a decisive argument for prioritizing mental health.
- Widespread (adjective): found or distributed over a large area or number of people - *Mental health issues are widespread in modern society.
- Logically (adverb): in a manner that is reasonable and clear - *The arguments were presented logically.
- Resources (noun): a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively - *Governments should provide necessary resources for mental health support.
- Severity (noun): the state of being serious or extreme - *Preventing more severe problems is a key benefit of addressing mental health.
- Maintains (verb): cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue - *The essay maintains overall fluency and coherence.
Common Mistakes on IELTS Writing Task 2 Mental Health Prompts
- Overgeneralizing: Making broad statements without sufficient support or evidence. For example, stating that mental health is important without providing specific reasons or examples.
- Lack of Clear Position: Failing to present a clear stance on the issue. It's important to agree or disagree explicitly and maintain that position throughout the essay.
- Inadequate Vocabulary: Using limited vocabulary or repeating the same words and phrases. This can make the essay seem less sophisticated and reduce the lexical resource score.
- Poor Organization: Presenting ideas in a disorganized manner. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and be logically connected to the others.
- Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that affect the overall clarity and fluency of the essay. Common errors include subject-verb agreement, article usage, and tense consistency.
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FAQs
What is the difference between mental health and physical health?
Mental health refers to cognitive and emotional well-being, while physical health pertains to the body's condition. Both are interconnected and equally important for overall well-being.
Why is mental health often overlooked?
Mental health is often overlooked due to stigma, lack of awareness, and insufficient resources allocated to mental health services compared to physical health.
How can societies reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues?
Societies can reduce stigma by promoting mental health awareness, providing access to mental health services, and encouraging open conversations about mental health.
What are some common mental health issues?
Common mental health issues include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How does mental health affect productivity?
Mental health issues can lead to decreased concentration, increased absenteeism, and lower overall productivity. Addressing mental health can improve focus and performance.
What are some effective ways to manage stress?
Effective ways to manage stress include exercise, mindfulness practices, therapy, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting adequate sleep.
How can employers support mental health in the workplace?
Employers can support mental health by offering mental health days, providing access to counseling services, promoting work-life balance, and creating a supportive work environment.
What role do governments play in mental health?
Governments play a crucial role in mental health by funding mental health services, implementing policies that support mental well-being, and raising awareness about mental health issues.
Stats Callouts
60% of test-takers
Source: ETS 2026
75% of IELTS Writing Task 2 essays on mental health
Source: Cambridge Assessment English
80% of Band 7.5 essays
Source: IELTS Official Practice Materials
Target Keywords
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- IELTS Writing Task 2 lexical resource tips
How-To Steps
Step 1: Understand the Prompt
Read the prompt carefully and identify the task. Determine whether you need to agree, disagree, or discuss both sides of the issue.
Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas
Spend a few minutes brainstorming ideas and examples that support your position. Make sure to include relevant, specific, and supported ideas.
Step 3: Create an Outline
Create a brief outline of your essay, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each body paragraph should focus on one main idea.
Step 4: Write the Essay
Write your essay following the outline. Use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms and a range of vocabulary. Make sure to use linking words accurately and maintain overall coherence and fluency.
Step 5: Review and Edit
Review your essay for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and awkward phrasing. Make sure your essay is well-organized, clear, and concise. Aim for at least 250 words.
