Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-24

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 6.5)

Nowadays, the proportion of young people exceeds that of the elderly in some nations. While I accept that it brings both benefits and drawbacks, I believe the advantages of a young population outweigh the disadvantages, particularly in terms of economic growth and innovation.

On the one hand, the large number of young people could strain job market competition, because there are too many individuals seeking jobs. As a result, this leads to intense job market competition and higher unemployment rates. For example, in countries with a high youth population, such as India, many young people struggle to find suitable jobs to meet their basic needs. Moreover, many young workers lack industry-relevant skills, dwindling their employability. Consequently, the government and businesses must invest heavily in education and training to make sure their employees are skilled.

Despite these challenges, I would argue that the advantages of a young population are far more significant. Firstly, the nations will have a greater labor force which could help drive economic growth. With an abundant labor supply, industries can boost productivity and meet deadlines effectively, enhancing both profits and international reputation. Secondly, young generations' willingness to take risks and creativity can drive groundbreaking achievements in technology and businesses. For instance, many successful startups around the world such as Facebook founded by Mark Zeckerberg, are led by young entrepreneurs. Finally, young people are generally healthier, so it can ease the burden on public healthcare systems and allow governments to allocate their resources to address other essential areas.

In conclusion, while a large youth population may cause difficulties such as unemployment and skill gaps, its upsides in driving economic growth, promoting innovation, and reducing healthcare strain are far more crucial. Therefore, I firmly believe that the positive influences of a youthful population significantly outweigh the potential disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the task directly, presenting a clear position throughout the response that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning India to illustrate job market competition and referencing Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg to demonstrate young entrepreneurship. The arguments regarding economic growth, innovation, and healthcare burden are extended effectively. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 7 descriptors, as all parts of the prompt are properly addressed with a clear position and well-supported ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from introduction to the counter-argument, the supporting arguments, and finally a succinct conclusion. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and appropriately, such as 'On the one hand', 'Despite these challenges', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is fully functional and guides the reader effortlessly through the writer's argument. This satisfies the requirements for Band 7, featuring clear logical sequencing and effective use of paragraphing.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision, successfully employing less common lexical items such as 'intense job market competition', 'industry-relevant skills', and 'groundbreaking achievements'. There are occasional slight awkwardnesses in word choice or phrasing, such as 'dweindling their employability' (where 'reducing' or 'diminishing' might be more natural) and a minor spelling slip with 'Mark Zeckerberg'. Nevertheless, the vocabulary is adequate to convey precise meanings and suits the academic tone of the task, fitting the Band 7 profile well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The student displays a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentences, utilizing conditional and participial clauses effectively (e.g., 'While I accept that it brings both benefits and drawbacks, I believe...', 'With an abundant labor supply, industries can boost productivity...'). There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and the grammar and punctuation are controlled well throughout the essay. The few minor inaccuracies do not impede communication. This demonstrates the solid control and sentence variety characteristic of a Band 7 performance.

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