Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

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

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)

IT IS UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS BROUGHT A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK. SIMILARLY THE POPULATION OF COME COUNTRIES INCLUDE A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS, COMPARED WITH THE NUMBER OF OLDER PEOPLE. THOUGH IT COMES WITH BENEFITS, YET DRAWBACK ARE INEVITABLE. HOWEVER, THIS EASSY PONDERS UPON POSSIBLE MERITS AND DEMERITS OF THIS PHENOMENON.

THE FIRST AND FORMOST ADVANTANGE OF HAVING LARGER YOUNG POPULATION IS THAT IT PROVIDE A STRONG AND ACTIVE WORKFORCE FOR A COUNTRY. IN ADDITION, YOUNGSTERS ARE EAGER TO LEARN TO TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS AS THE USETHROUGH TO THE TECHNOLOGY VERY WELL AND HAVE ADOPTATIVE NATURE WHICH LEADS TO GROW ANY BUSINESS VERY FAST. FOR INSTANCE, INDIA HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF YOUNGSTER WHICH HAS HELPED THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIES SUCH AS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS SERVICES AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION.

NEXT COMES OTHER PROS THAT YOUNGER POPULATION REDUCE THE FINANCIAL PRESSURE CAUSED BY AGING POPULATION LIKE IF THERE ARE FEWER OLDER PEOPLE GOVERNMENTMAY SPEN LESS MONEY ON PENSIONS AND ELDER HEALTHCARE. FURTHERMORE, YOUNGSTER CAN BRING MORE IDEAS AND CREATIVITY TO THE SOCIETY WHICH HELPS A COUNTRY TO BECAME FOR COMPETITIVE.

ON CONTRARY, IT RAISES SOME ISSUES ALSO LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT AND PRESSURE ON PUBLIC SERVICES. IF ECONOMY DOESNOT PROVIDE ENOUGH JOBS , MANY PEOPLE MAY STRUGGLE TO FIND SUITABLE JOB WHICH LEADS TO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. IN ADDITION IT ALSO CREATE PRESSURE ON UNIVERSITES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HOUSING AND OTHER FACILITES BECAUSE OF GROWING PPULATION.

IN CONCLUSION, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS FEW DEMERITS, MERITS SEEM TO BE OUTWEIGHT BUT STILL RATIONAL APPROACH MUST BE FOLLOWED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE IT BENEFICIAL FOR MANKIND.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of having a large young adult population. A clear position is presented at the end, concluding that the merits outweigh the demerits. Ideas are extended with some general examples, such as mentioning India's growth in the IT sector. However, some arguments lack deeper elaboration, and the introductory sentence contains an irrelevant tangent regarding modern technology. Nonetheless, the core elements of the prompt are adequately covered, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with logical paragraphing, separating the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion clearly. Cohesive devices are used throughout, such as 'IN ADDITION', 'FURTHERMORE', and 'ON CONTRARY', although some transitional phrases are used mechanically or contain minor errors ('ON CONTRARY' instead of 'BY CONTRAST'). Referencing is generally clear, but the flow is occasionally disrupted by lexical and grammatical errors. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, supporting a clear progression of ideas that aligns with a Band 6.0 level.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting less common items such as 'PHENOMENON', 'COMPETITIVE', and 'UNEMPLOYMENT'. However, there are notable word choice and spelling errors throughout the text, including 'COME COUNTRIES' instead of 'SOME COUNTRIES', 'EASSY' instead of 'ESSAY', 'ADOPTATIVE' instead of 'ADAPTIVE', 'BECAME' instead of 'BECOME', and 'OUTWEIGHT' instead of 'OUTWEIGH'. These inaccuracies indicate a limited control of word formation and spelling, capping the lexical score at Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complexity frequently contain grammatical errors. Examples of errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('INDIA HAVE A LARGE NUMBER', 'ECONOMY DOESNOT PROVIDE'), missing prepositions or articles, and incorrect verb forms ('THE USETHROUGH TO THE TECHNOLOGY'). Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent, with the entire text written in uppercase. While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the essay from reaching a higher band, making Band 5.0 the most appropriate descriptor.

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

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