Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-20

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 relatively high proportion of young adults compared with older people. This situation can have both positive and negative effects. However, I believe that the advantages of having a younger population outweigh the disadvantages.

One major advantage is that young adults can contribute significantly to the economy. They are generally more likely to work, start businesses and develop new ideas. A large working-age population can therefore increase productivity and generate more tax revenue for the government. For example, countries with a large number of young workers can benefit from a growing workforce in sectors such as technology, manufacturing and services.

Another benefit is that younger people can support social and technological development. They are often more willing to learn new skills and adapt to changes in technology. In addition, a young population can create greater demand for education, housing, transport and entertainment, which can encourage economic growth and the development of new businesses.

However, this situation can also create some challenges. If there are not enough jobs for young adults, unemployment may increase, leading to financial difficulties and social problems. Governments may also need to spend heavily on education, training and job creation. Furthermore, a large young population will eventually become older, which could create pressure on pension and healthcare systems in the future.

In conclusion, although a high proportion of young adults can create challenges, I believe the economic and social benefits are greater, particularly when governments provide sufficient education, training and employment opportunities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of having a population with a high proportion of young adults, and presents a clear position throughout the essay. Ideas are generally well developed, such as the economic contributions of young workers and the potential strain on future pension systems. However, there is a penalty to consider: the Length Check indicates that the response contains 249 words, which is one word short of the 250-word minimum requirement. This minor under-length prevents the task from being fully developed in a robust Band 7 fashion, as some supporting points are slightly brief. Therefore, the response aligns closely with the Band 6 descriptors for fully addressing parts of the task with some under-developed ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression. Information and ideas are organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing advantages and disadvantages respectively, and a clear concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and appropriately, such as 'One major advantage', 'Another benefit', 'However', and 'In addition'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central topic. Referencing is clear throughout the text, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the progression of arguments. This performance meets all the key requirements of Band 7 for logical organisation and flexible cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate and generally appropriate range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'high proportion', 'contribute significantly', 'productivity', and 'infrastructure' (implied through context) are used accurately. There are also attempts at less common lexical items, such as 'demographic' concepts handled through clear phrasing like 'pressure on pension and healthcare systems'. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate, and errors do not impede communication. While the vocabulary is functional and precise in places, it lacks the broader flexibility and more sophisticated, less common phrasing typically required to reach a Band 7 score, comfortably placing it at Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Sentences such as 'If there are not enough jobs for young adults, unemployment may increase, leading to financial difficulties and social problems' showcase a good command of conditional and participial structures. There is good control of punctuation and grammar overall. While there are a few minor slips or simple structures, the majority of sentences are grammatically sound, and errors are rare. This level of structural variety and accuracy comfortably satisfies the Band 7 descriptor, which notes a variety of complex structures and frequent error-free sentences with good overall control.

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