Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01

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 7.0)

Nowadays, some countries have a relatively large proportion of young adults compared with older people. This situation can have both positive and negative effects on society. In my opinion, the advantages of having a young population outweigh the disadvantages.

One major advantage is that young people can contribute significantly to the economy. They are generally more energetic and physically capable of working in different fields. As a result, they can fill many jobs, earn money and pay taxes, which helps the government develop the country. For example, a country with a large working-age population can have a strong workforce and increase its economic growth. Furthermore, young adults are usually more willing to learn new skills and use modern technology. This can improve productivity in different industries.

On the other hand, a large young population can also create some problems. The most serious issue is unemployment. If a country cannot provide enough jobs, many young people may remain unemployed, which can increase poverty and social problems. Another disadvantage is the pressure on education, healthcare and housing. Governments may need to spend a large amount of money to provide these services to a growing population. Nevertheless, these problems can be controlled through proper planning and investment in education and job opportunities.

In conclusion, although having a large young population can create challenges such as unemployment and pressure on public services, I believe that the advantages are greater. A young workforce can support economic development, introduce new ideas and contribute to the future progress of a country.

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 social challenges like unemployment. The arguments are supported by logical reasoning, though they could be further extended with more specific real-world examples to reach a higher band. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. Overall, the task is fully addressed with a consistent position maintained throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The referencing is clear, and the flow of the argument is easy to follow. The structure is appropriate for an academic essay, and the paragraphing is used skillfully to separate the advantages from the disadvantages.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'working-age population', 'economic growth', 'productivity', and 'public services'. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys the intended meaning clearly, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterize a higher band. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors, and the language used is natural and fits the formal tone required for an IELTS academic essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('If a country cannot provide enough jobs...') and relative clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. While the range of structures is solid, it does not show the full flexibility or complexity required for the highest bands. However, the errors are rare and do not impede communication in any way.

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

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