Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-31

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.

Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Nowadays, several countries have a significantly larger proportion of young adults than elderly people. While this demographic trend may create certain challenges, I believe that the advantages considerably outweigh the disadvantages because it promotes economic growth and innovation.

On the one hand, having a predominantly young population can give rise to several problems. Young adults often require employment opportunities, affordable housing, and quality education, placing considerable pressure on governments and public resources. If sufficient jobs are not available, unemployment and poverty may increase, potentially leading to higher crime rates and social instability. Furthermore, governments may need to allocate substantial financial resources to education and skill development, which can place a burden on public expenditure.

On the other hand, the benefits of a youthful population are far more significant. A large workforce contributes directly to economic growth by increasing productivity, boosting tax revenues, and encouraging investment. In addition, younger generations are generally more adaptable to technological advancements and are more likely to establish innovative businesses, thereby driving entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness. For example, many rapidly developing countries have experienced remarkable economic expansion due to their young and highly productive labour force.

In my opinion, although a youthful population presents certain short-term challenges, these can be effectively addressed through appropriate government policies. The long-term economic and social benefits are substantially greater than the potential drawbacks.

In conclusion, despite the pressure that a large number of young adults may place on employment and public services, I believe that the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages, as such a population contributes to innovation, economic prosperity, and sustainable national development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding the challenges (employment, housing, education) and the benefits (economic growth, innovation) are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. The example provided regarding rapidly developing countries adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points without simply repeating them. Your response is balanced, well-structured, and directly answers the prompt, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and advantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In addition'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. The flow of ideas is natural and coherent throughout the text, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'demographic trend', 'social instability', 'technological advancements', and 'sustainable national development' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good awareness of collocation, and the vocabulary is well-suited to the academic tone of the task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is sophisticated enough to meet the requirements for a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentence forms, such as conditional clauses ('If sufficient jobs are not available...') and concessive clauses ('although a youthful population presents...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the variety of structures used contributes to the overall fluency and professional tone of the writing.

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