Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-01

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 5.5)

Many countries are suffering with a problem in which individuals over the age of 50 years cannot acquire good jobs even though they have many years of experience. In this essay, I will explain the causes of the problem that are technological shift and physical demand. Policies can be designed to counter this problem like digital programs and mentorship programs.

People whose age is above 50 years have lower ability to adapt to changes ongoing the world. Similarly, in todays global village older people have difficulty grasping the concept of technology that is ever changing. For instance, my relatives who have exceeded the age of fifty years have a hard time even using a basic app like Whatsapp or Instagram. Moreover, some of the jobs require a level of fitness which is not achievable by people over the age of 50 years. For example, individuals working in mines need to be fit for their work and incase of an emergency.

Government should start initiatives regarding technology where they provide basic to advance lesson with respect to the changes in technology to people above the age of fifty. Consequently, this will increase the literacy rate in the country and increase the supply of skilled workers which will boost the economy. Furthermore, a more complex mentorship program can be initiated for older people interest in utilizing that technology for businesses and freelance work that will generate revenue and bring business back to the country.

In conclusion, a countries government can utilize their citizens who are above the age of fifty years to be more productive in their life and also contribute to the country.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: causes (technological shifts and physical demands) and solutions (government initiatives and mentorship). The ideas are relevant and clearly presented. However, the development is somewhat limited; the examples provided, such as the mention of relatives using WhatsApp, are a bit simplistic and anecdotal. To reach a higher band, the arguments could be extended with more sophisticated analysis of the socio-economic implications of an aging workforce. The conclusion is a bit brief and does not fully synthesize the main points discussed in the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Similarly', 'Moreover', 'Consequently', and 'Furthermore' are used to link ideas, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the problem to the proposed solutions. However, the referencing is occasionally weak, and the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more natural, sophisticated structure. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the distinct parts of the task.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to convey their meaning clearly. There are attempts to use topic-specific language like 'literacy rate', 'skilled workers', and 'freelance work'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'suffering with a problem' instead of 'facing a problem' and 'ongoing the world' instead of 'in the world'. The use of vocabulary is functional but lacks the flexibility and precision required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'in todays global village' (missing apostrophe), 'a countries government' (incorrect possessive), and 'older people interest in' (should be 'interested in'). Additionally, there are minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrases. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. A greater variety of error-free complex structures is needed to demonstrate better control.

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