Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-26
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Write about the following topic: Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 6.0)
People are living longer today than at any other time in history due to improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and living standards. While some argue that an aging population places a heavy burden on governments, others believe that older people make valuable contributions to society. In my opinion, although an aging population creates significant economic and social challenges, the benefits can outweigh the disadvantages if governments adopt effective policies to support active and healthy aging.
One of the main disadvantages of an aging population is the increased pressure on public finances. Governments must spend more on pensions, healthcare, and elderly care services, which can strain national budgets. At the same time, a smaller proportion of working-age people means there are fewer taxpayers to support these expenses. This may lead to labour shortages, reduced economic growth, and higher taxes for younger generations. For example, countries such as Japan have faced difficulties maintaining economic productivity because of their rapidly aging populations.
On the other hand, older people can make significant contributions to society. Many retirees continue to work part-time, volunteer in their communities, or provide childcare for their grandchildren, allowing younger parents to remain in the workforce. In addition, elderly people possess valuable knowledge and professional experience that can be shared with younger generations through mentoring and consultancy roles. Their wisdom and life experience also help strengthen families and communities by promoting social stability and preserving cultural traditions.
Furthermore, advances in healthcare mean that many older adults remain healthy and active well beyond retirement age. Rather than being dependent on government support, they often participate in lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, and community service. If governments encourage flexible retirement policies and invest in preventive healthcare, older citizens can continue contributing economically and socially for many years.
In conclusion, although an aging population presents challenges such as increased healthcare costs and labour shortages, these problems can be managed through appropriate government policies. The experience, skills, and social contributions of older people provide substantial benefits to society. Therefore, I believe the advantages of an aging population outweigh its disadvantages to a considerable extent.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 1.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 1.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt asks for a discussion on the sharing of information in scientific research, business, and academia. However, the student has written an essay about the aging population and its impact on society. While the essay is well-structured and coherent in its own right, it fails to address any part of the actual task prompt. Consequently, it cannot be awarded a passing score for Task Achievement, as the content is entirely irrelevant to the specific instructions provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically sequenced, and cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the topic. Despite the content being off-topic, the structural integrity of the writing is high, demonstrating a good command of organizational skills.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
The vocabulary is varied and precise, demonstrating a good range of academic language. Phrases such as 'strain national budgets,' 'economic productivity,' 'preventive healthcare,' and 'substantial benefits' are used accurately and naturally. The student shows an ability to use less common lexical items effectively, such as 'consultancy roles' and 'lifelong learning.' The language is sophisticated and contributes to a professional tone throughout the piece.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. The student uses complex sentences effectively, such as 'While some argue that an aging population places a heavy burden on governments, others believe that older people make valuable contributions to society.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are very few, if any, grammatical errors. The control over tense, subject-verb agreement, and sentence variety is excellent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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