Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-04

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 5.5)

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults compared with the number of older people. This situation has both advantages and disadvantages. However, 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 economic development of a country. They are generally energetic, creative and willing to learn new skills. As a result, they can work in different industries and help increase productivity. Furthermore, young adults are often more familiar with modern technology and social media. Their knowledge can help businesses develop and enable a country to compete in the modern world.

Another benefit is that a large working-age population can provide financial support to the elderly through taxes. When more young people have jobs, the government can collect more tax revenue. This money can then be spent on important public services such as healthcare, education and transportation. In addition, young people may introduce new ideas and create new businesses, which can provide more employment opportunities for others.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 250 words, reaching only 181 words. This significantly impacts the development of the response. While you clearly state your position and provide relevant arguments regarding economic development and tax revenue, the ideas are underdeveloped. The prompt asks for a discussion of both advantages and disadvantages, but the response focuses almost exclusively on the advantages, neglecting a balanced exploration of the potential drawbacks of a youth-heavy population (such as high unemployment or social instability). To improve, you must expand your arguments with more detailed examples and ensure you address all parts of the prompt, including the counter-arguments, to reach the required length.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction and distinct paragraphs for each main point. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'One major advantage', 'Furthermore', and 'Another benefit' to guide the reader through your arguments. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical due to the brevity of the text. The lack of a concluding paragraph makes the structure feel incomplete. To achieve a higher band, ensure you include a clear conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your position, and try to use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly within and between paragraphs.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'economic development', 'productivity', and 'tax revenue' appropriately. The language is generally clear and conveys your meaning without difficulty. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is little evidence of less common or more sophisticated lexical items. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and topic-specific vocabulary. For example, instead of 'help increase', you could use 'stimulate' or 'bolster'. Expanding your vocabulary will help you express more nuanced ideas and improve the overall sophistication of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The grammar is generally accurate, and your sentences are easy to follow. You use a mix of simple and complex structures, such as 'When more young people have jobs, the government can collect more tax revenue.' There are very few grammatical errors, which is a strength. However, to reach a higher band, you need to demonstrate a wider range of complex sentence structures, such as using more varied subordinate clauses or passive voice constructions. The current range is sufficient for a 6.0, but further variety in your sentence construction would elevate the quality of your writing.

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

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