Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-26

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 6.5)

### Essay

At present, some countries have a relatively large number of young adults compared with older people. Although this situation can create some challenges, I believe that the advantages are greater because a young population can support economic growth and contribute to the development of society.

Firstly, having a large number of young adults can provide a strong workforce for a country. Young people are generally able to work for many years and can contribute to different industries. They can also bring new ideas and use modern technology more easily. For example, young workers can help companies introduce new digital services and improve their productivity. As a result, a country with a large working-age population can experience faster economic development.

Secondly, young adults can contribute to the future development of society. Many young people are interested in education, technology and innovation, which can help a country become more competitive. They can also start new businesses and create employment opportunities for others. For instance, a young entrepreneur may establish a technology company that provides jobs for other people. Therefore, a younger population can have a positive effect on both the economy and society.

However, this situation also has some disadvantages. If there are too many young people, the government may need to create a large number of jobs and provide sufficient education and training. If suitable employment is not available, unemployment can increase, especially among young adults. This may lead to financial difficulties and social problems.

In conclusion, although a large young population can create pressure on governments to provide enough jobs and education, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. A young workforce can strengthen the economy, encourage innovation and support the future development of a country.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. The arguments regarding economic growth and innovation are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of young entrepreneurs establishing technology companies. The counter-argument regarding the pressure on government services is also addressed, providing a balanced view. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more nuanced; for instance, exploring the long-term implications of an aging population versus a youth bulge would add depth to the analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and the disadvantages is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between sentences is clear. The writing flows well, though the use of cohesive devices is somewhat standard; incorporating a wider variety of linking phrases could enhance the sophistication of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate and appropriate for the task. The student employs topic-specific terms such as 'workforce', 'economic development', 'innovation', and 'entrepreneur'. While the range is sufficient to convey ideas clearly, it lacks the 'less common' or more sophisticated lexical items that would characterize a higher band. The word choices are generally accurate, and there are no significant errors in spelling or collocation that impede meaning. To improve, the student should aim to incorporate more precise academic collocations and synonyms to avoid repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If there are too many...') and subordinate clauses ('Although this situation can create...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the grammar is reliable, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with more varied sentence patterns, such as inversion or more sophisticated passive constructions, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.