Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

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. However, there are also some disadvantages. A large number of young adults can create serious problems if there are not enough jobs available. High unemployment may cause financial difficulties and increase social problems. Moreover, governments must spend a significant amount of money on schools, universities and training programmes to prepare young people for their future careers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages, and a clear position is maintained throughout. However, the essay is under the 250-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the arguments. While the points regarding economic development and tax revenue are relevant, they are somewhat brief. The discussion of disadvantages is also quite limited, lacking specific examples or a more thorough exploration of the social consequences mentioned. To reach a higher band, you should expand on your ideas with more detailed explanations and concrete examples to ensure the response is fully developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition', and 'However' are used effectively to link ideas and transition between points. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the advantages from the disadvantages. The progression of ideas is generally smooth, though the brevity of the text makes the overall structure feel slightly underdeveloped. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You have used some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'economic development', 'productivity', 'tax revenue', and 'unemployment'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on fairly common phrases. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and less common lexical items related to demographics and economics. For instance, instead of 'help increase', you could use 'stimulate' or 'bolster'. The spelling is accurate throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally correct. You successfully use conditional structures and relative clauses, which shows a decent range. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher band, you could aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or more advanced subordinating conjunctions, to demonstrate greater flexibility in your writing.

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

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