Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-15
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)
Nowadays, some countries have a significantly higher proportion of young adults than elderly people. Although this situation can provide some benefits, I believe that its disadvantages outweigh its advantages, particularly because of unemployment and pressure on public services.
On the one hand, having a large young population can bring several benefits to a country. Firstly, young adults can provide a larger workforce, which can help businesses increase their productivity and contribute to economic growth. Secondly, younger people are generally more willing to adopt new technologies and develop innovative ideas. As a result, countries with a large number of young adults may experience faster technological and economic development.
On the other hand, I believe that the disadvantages are more significant. The main problem is that there may not be enough jobs for the growing number of young adults. This can lead to unemployment and financial difficulties among young people. In addition, a large young population can put considerable pressure on public services such as education, healthcare and transportation. Governments may therefore need to spend a large amount of money to meet the needs of this growing population.
In conclusion, although having a large proportion of young adults can provide a country with a strong workforce and encourage economic development, I believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. In particular, unemployment and pressure on public services can create serious problems for society.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both advantages and disadvantages and clearly stating a position in the introduction and conclusion, noting that 'its disadvantages outweigh its advantages'. Relevant ideas are presented, such as the workforce and economic benefits on the one hand, and unemployment and pressure on public services on the other. However, the task achievement score is limited by the strict word count penalty. As the response contains only 230 words against the mandatory 250-word minimum, the length requirement is NOT met, which negatively impacts the overall development and completeness of the task. To achieve a higher band, the student must ensure they meet the minimum word count and extend their supporting examples with greater depth and specific illustrations.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The response displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The essay is divided into appropriate paragraphs, beginning with a clear introduction that outlines the writer's stance, followed by distinct body paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a concise concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well to connect ideas, such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'As a result'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, making the overall structure easy to follow and navigate. Referencing and substitution are handled adequately, ensuring that the reader can track the flow of arguments without confusion. This meets the core requirements of a band 7 performance in coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully attempting less common and topic-related items such as 'significantly higher proportion', 'economic growth', 'innovative ideas', and 'public services'. Word choice is generally appropriate and communicative, although some phrases are slightly repetitive or predictable. There are minor limitations in the flexibility and precision of uncommon lexical items, but spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication. To reach higher bands, the writer should incorporate more sophisticated collocation and varied lexical phrasing rather than relying on standard academic vocabulary templates.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating structures such as concessive clauses ('Although this situation can provide some benefits...') and result clauses ('As a result, countries with a large number of young adults may experience...'). Control of grammar and punctuation is generally sound, with frequent error-free sentences produced throughout the text. The few minor errors or awkward formulations that persist do not impede communication or strain the reader. This performance aligns comfortably with the descriptor for band 7, showing solid command of sentence structures and grammatical accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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