Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-19

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)

In many countries, the proportion of young adults is considerably higher than that of older people. Although this situation can create some challenges, I believe that the advantages generally outweigh the disadvantages.

One major advantage of having a large young population is the availability of a strong workforce. Young adults are usually physically active, adaptable and willing to learn new skills. As a result, they can contribute significantly to economic growth and productivity. Furthermore, a larger working population can generate more tax revenue, which governments can use to improve public services such as education, healthcare and transportation. Young people can also encourage innovation because they are often more willing to adopt new technologies and develop modern ideas.

However, a young population can also create certain problems. The most significant disadvantage is the pressure placed on employment markets. If governments and businesses cannot provide enough jobs, many young adults may experience unemployment or financial difficulties. This can lead to social problems, including poverty and increased competition for limited resources. In addition, countries with large numbers of young people need to invest heavily in schools, universities, housing and healthcare. If these services are inadequate, the quality of life may decline.

Despite these disadvantages, I believe that a large young population is more beneficial in the long term. The challenges associated with youth unemployment and public services can be reduced through effective government policies, investment in education and the creation of new employment opportunities. In contrast, a young workforce provides countries with considerable potential for economic development and innovation.

In conclusion, although having a large proportion of young adults can place pressure on employment and public services, the economic and social benefits are greater. With appropriate planning and investment, countries can successfully use their young populations as a major source of future development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student has fully addressed all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of having a large young adult population and providing a clear, well-supported position throughout. The introduction clearly outlines the stance that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. In the body paragraphs, relevant ideas are extended and supported effectively, such as discussing economic growth, tax revenue, and innovation as advantages, alongside the pressures on employment markets and public services as disadvantages. The arguments are well-developed and lead logically to a cohesive conclusion. There is no over-generalisation that impedes the task, and the response satisfies all core requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a well-defined introduction, followed by balanced body paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, such as 'Furthermore', 'However', 'In addition', and 'In contrast', which guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and effectively to separate distinct themes. Referencing is clear and unambiguous, ensuring that ideas flow naturally from one sentence to the next without causing any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'proportion', 'adaptable', 'productivity', and 'economic development' are used accurately and with good awareness of collocation. Expressions like 'generate more tax revenue' and 'pressure placed on employment markets' show natural control. While there are a few standard collocations rather than highly sophisticated or rare lexical choices, the vocabulary is precise enough to convey subtle meanings without any errors in word choice or spelling. The lexical range easily supports clear communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, maintaining strong grammatical control throughout the essay. Examples of complex structures include conditional and participial constructions like 'If governments and businesses cannot provide enough jobs...' and 'Despite these disadvantages, I believe that...'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled accurately. Grammatical errors are absent, and syntactic control is maintained consistently from beginning to end. This high level of accuracy and range aligns well with a strong band score.

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