Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-02

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)

At present, some countries have a relatively high proportion of young adults compared with older people. Although having a large young population can create pressure on employment and public services, I believe that the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages.

One major advantage of having a large number of young adults is that it provides a country with a strong workforce. Young people are generally able to work for many years and contribute to the economy through employment and taxation. A larger working population can also reduce the financial pressure on the government because there are more people paying taxes to support public services. For example, countries with a large working-age population can benefit from increased productivity and economic growth if sufficient employment opportunities are available. In addition, younger people are often more willing to adopt new technologies and start businesses, which can encourage innovation.

However, a large young population can also create several challenges. The most significant disadvantage is the pressure placed on the job market. If the number of young people entering the workforce is greater than the number of jobs available, unemployment can increase. Governments may also need to spend more money on education, housing and public infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing young population. Nevertheless, these problems can be addressed through appropriate investment and economic planning. In fact, providing young people with good education and employment opportunities can turn this potential problem into a significant economic advantage.

In conclusion, although a large young population can initially place pressure on employment and public services, I believe that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages. A large workforce can contribute to economic growth, innovation and increased tax revenue, provided that governments create enough opportunities for young people.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on economic benefits like productivity and innovation, and the second acknowledging challenges such as unemployment while offering solutions. The argument is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific real-world examples (e.g., mentioning a specific country like Japan or India) to further substantiate the claims, as the current examples are somewhat generalized.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the advantages and disadvantages is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'In addition,' and 'Nevertheless.' The use of referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an IELTS essay. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning from the introduction to the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'workforce,' 'economic growth,' 'public infrastructure,' and 'innovation.' The control of word choice is generally accurate, and the tone is appropriately formal. While the vocabulary is effective, it lacks a few more sophisticated or 'less common' lexical items that would demonstrate a wider, more flexible range. However, there are no significant errors in collocation or word choice that impede communication.

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 clauses ('if the number of young people... is greater than...') and concessive clauses ('Although having a large young population...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. The grammatical control is consistent, and the few minor slips do not interfere with the clarity of the message. The range of structures is sufficient to support a high-level argument.

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