Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-29

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)

Nowadays, some countries have a relatively high proportion of young adults compared with older people. Although this situation can create some challenges, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because young individuals can contribute greatly to the economy and society.

To start with, a young population is that it provides a large and active workforce. Young adults are generally energetic and willing to learn new skills, which can help businesses grow and boost a country's productivity. Moreover, they can bring fresh ideas and creativity to different industries. For example, many young people are interested in technology and can help companies develop new digital products and services. A large working-age population can also increase tax revenues, which governments can use to improve public services.

However, there are also some drawbacks. A large number of young people may create intense competition for jobs, particularly if a country does not have enough employment opportunities. This can lead to unemployment and financial difficulties among young grown-ups. In addition, governments may need to spend greater money on education, training and housing to support a growing young population. Nevertheless, these problems can be reduced by creating more jobs and providing suitable learning and vocational training.

In conclusion, having a larger proportion of young adults can cause problems such as unemployment and pressure on public services. However, I believe the advantages are greater, as young people supply a strong workforce, increase economic productivity and bring innovation to society. Therefore, countries with young populations should focus on creating enough opportunities for them to contribute to national development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are relevant and logically developed, such as the economic benefits of a young workforce and the potential for innovation. The drawbacks are also acknowledged, providing a balanced view. To reach a higher band, the development of ideas could be more extensive; for instance, the point about 'tax revenues' could be linked more explicitly to specific public services like healthcare or infrastructure to add depth. Overall, the response is well-focused and directly answers the question.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'To start with', 'Moreover', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the structure is coherent throughout. The flow of the argument is natural, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages from the disadvantages.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient and generally appropriate for the task. Phrases like 'active workforce', 'boost a country's productivity', and 'vocational training' demonstrate a good command of topic-specific language. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'young people' and 'young adults'. To improve, you could incorporate more varied synonyms or more sophisticated collocations. While the current vocabulary is accurate and allows for clear communication, it lacks the range of less common lexical items that would be required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor error in the second paragraph: 'a young population is that it provides' is slightly awkward; a better phrasing would be 'the benefit of a young population is that it provides'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The control over complex structures is good, and the occasional minor slips do not impede communication or cause any difficulty for the reader.

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

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