Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-04

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some countries, it can be very difficult for people over the age of 50 to get good jobs, despite their experience.

What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

In some countries, it can be very difficult for people over the age of 50 to get good jobs, despite their experience. What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?

In many parts of the world, people over the age of 50 often struggle to secure well-paid or rewarding employment, even though they possess extensive professional experience. This issue is primarily caused by age discrimination and rapid technological change. However, it can be addressed through stronger legal protection and continuous professional development.

One of the main reasons older workers face difficulties is that many employers prefer younger candidates. They are often perceived as being more energetic, adaptable, and willing to accept lower salaries. As a result, experienced applicants may be overlooked despite having superior skills and knowledge. Another contributing factor is the increasing reliance on technology in the workplace. Many industries now require employees to be proficient in digital tools and software. Since some older individuals have had fewer opportunities to develop these skills, employers may consider them less competitive than younger applicants.

Several effective measures can help overcome this problem. First, governments should introduce and strictly enforce anti-discrimination laws that prohibit employers from rejecting candidates solely because of their age. Recruitment should be based on qualifications, experience, and competence rather than personal characteristics. In addition, governments and businesses should provide affordable training programmes that enable older workers to update their technological knowledge and adapt to changing workplace requirements. Lifelong learning initiatives would not only improve their employability but also increase their confidence in applying for modern roles.

Furthermore, employers should recognise the unique strengths of older employees, including their leadership, reliability, and ability to mentor younger colleagues. A workforce that combines the enthusiasm of younger staff with the wisdom and experience of senior employees is likely to be more productive and innovative.

In conclusion, although age bias and technological advancement make it harder for people over 50 to find quality employment, these challenges can be effectively addressed through anti-discrimination policies, continuous training, and a greater appreciation of the valuable contributions that experienced workers can make.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly identify two main causes—age discrimination and technological shifts—and propose two logical solutions: legal frameworks and professional development. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant reasoning, such as the mention of 'leadership' and 'mentoring' as unique strengths of older workers. Your position is consistent throughout, and the structure is balanced, ensuring that both the causes and the solutions receive adequate attention. The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements and provides a thoughtful, comprehensive response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and the solutions is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result,' 'In addition,' and 'Furthermore,' which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the text easy to follow from the introduction to the conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'secure well-paid or rewarding employment,' 'professional development,' and 'lifelong learning initiatives' show a strong command of topic-specific language. There is a good attempt to use less common collocations, and your word choices are precise. The language is natural and contributes to the overall clarity of your argument. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that would hinder communication, and the vocabulary is sufficiently varied to support a high-level discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and passive constructions, with high accuracy. For example, 'A workforce that combines the enthusiasm of younger staff with the wisdom and experience of senior employees is likely to be more productive' is a well-constructed, complex sentence. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. The grammatical range is sufficient to express complex ideas clearly and fluently, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.