Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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, young adults make up a significantly larger proportion of the population than elderly people. While this demographic trend can create certain challenges, I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because a youthful population can drive economic growth, innovation, and long-term national development.

One major benefit of having a large number of young adults is the availability of a strong workforce. Young people are generally more productive, adaptable, and physically capable of meeting the demands of modern industries. As a result, businesses can expand more easily, leading to higher economic output and increased tax revenues for governments. For example, countries such as India have benefited from a large working-age population, which has contributed to rapid growth in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and services.

Another advantage is that younger generations tend to be more innovative and open to change. They are often early adopters of new technologies and are more willing to develop creative solutions to social and economic problems. This can enhance a country's competitiveness in the global market. Furthermore, a larger youth population can help support public finances because more people are contributing taxes while relatively fewer require pensions and age-related healthcare services.

However, a youthful population can also present difficulties. If sufficient employment opportunities are not available, high levels of unemployment may occur. This can lead to poverty, crime, and social unrest. In addition, governments may face pressure to provide adequate education, housing, and healthcare for a growing number of young citizens. For instance, some developing nations struggle to create enough jobs for millions of graduates entering the labour market each year.

Despite these concerns, the disadvantages can often be managed through effective policies and investment in education, skills training, and economic development. In contrast, countries with ageing populations frequently face labour shortages,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of having a large young adult population and presenting a clear position throughout. The writer's stance that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages is well supported by logical arguments regarding economic growth, innovation, and public finances. Ideas are extended effectively, such as in the second paragraph where the workforce benefits are illustrated with the example of India. The counterarguments regarding unemployment and social pressures are also well developed before returning to the main thesis. Overall, this demonstrates a strong command of the prompt, earning a well-deserved band score of 8.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is logically sequenced with a clear progression of ideas from introduction to conclusion. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct theme such as workforce benefits, innovation, and drawbacks. Cohesive devices such as 'One major benefit', 'Another advantage', 'However', and 'Despite these concerns' are managed well to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing is clear, and the overall structure is cohesive and easy to follow. Although cohesion is slightly formulaic in places, it fully meets the criteria for Band 7.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'demographic trend', 'tax revenues', 'early adopters', 'competitiveness', and 'labour market' are employed with a good awareness of collocation and style. Word choice is generally precise, and although there is a slight cut-off at the very end of the text, the overall lexical control throughout the body paragraphs is strong. The occasional minor inaccuracy keeps it just below the highest bands, but it comfortably earns a Band 7.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a strong command of grammatical structures, successfully using a mix of complex sentences, conditional structures, and participial phrases, such as 'While this demographic trend can create certain challenges, I believe...' and 'If sufficient employment opportunities are not available, high levels of unemployment may occur.' The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is handled correctly. Control of grammar is consistent throughout the response, ensuring that communication is never impeded. This performance aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors.

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