Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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 7.5)

It is often argued that many countries currently have a relatively large proportion of young adults compared with older people. I believe that the advantages of having a younger population, particularly in terms of innovation and economic productivity, significantly outweigh the disadvantages of having less access to the experience and knowledge of the older generation.

On the one hand, older people possess years of experience and expertise that are highly valuable to society. Having spent decades solving problems and dealing with different situations, they can provide advice that helps younger people avoid mistakes. Therefore, when younger people significantly outnumber older people, society may have less access to this valuable experience. For example, senior managers in a company often have extensive knowledge of their industry, which enables them to make more informed decisions. By contrast, relying solely on younger employees when making important decisions could increase the risk of poor judgement because of their limited experience. Thus, the smaller presence of older people can result in a loss of valuable knowledge and expertise.

On the other hand, a larger young population can generate more fresh ideas and innovative approaches, which are important driving forces in the modern world. Young adults are often more familiar with new technologies and more receptive to change than some older people who may be more resistant to it. As a result, the younger generation can accelerate technological development and introduce innovative approaches to leadership, creating new opportunities for economic growth and discovery. Moreover, a larger proportion of older citizens can place a significant financial burden on governments through pensions, social benefits and elderly care services. In contrast, a predominantly young population provides a larger workforce, allowing more people to contribute to the economy through employment and taxation.

In conclusion, although an ageing population offers society valuable experience and knowledge, I firmly believe that the advantages of having a larger young population outweigh these disadvantages. A younger workforce can promote innovation, technological development and economic growth while reducing the financial pressure associated with supporting a large elderly population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding both the advantages (innovation, economic productivity) and disadvantages (loss of experience) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the role of senior managers in companies. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion on the 'disadvantages' side to ensure a more balanced exploration, though the current development is sufficient for a high score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'By contrast', and 'Moreover' effectively. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the opposing viewpoints. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is never confused by the structure. The use of cohesive devices is skillful and unobtrusive, contributing to a coherent and well-structured argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. Phrases such as 'driving forces', 'receptive to change', and 'financial burden' are used accurately and naturally. There is a good command of collocations, and the vocabulary is appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication. To move toward a band 9, you could incorporate even more sophisticated or idiomatic academic collocations to further enhance the nuance of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional sentences and relative clauses, used with high accuracy. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and grammar is excellent. For instance, the sentence 'By contrast, relying solely on younger employees when making important decisions could increase the risk of poor judgement because of their limited experience' is grammatically sophisticated and error-free. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and the writing is consistently clear and professional throughout the entire response.

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