Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

In many countries, workers over the age of 50 face considerable difficulty in securing well-paid employment, even when they possess decades of professional experience. This problem is largely caused by age discrimination and the rapidly changing nature of the modern workplace. However, governments, employers and educational institutions can take several measures to address it.

One major cause is the widespread perception that older employees are less adaptable than younger workers. Employers may assume that people in their fifties will struggle to learn new technologies, accept changes in working practices or adapt to new organisational cultures. This can lead companies to favour younger applicants, particularly in industries such as information technology, digital marketing and finance, where skills and practices change rapidly. Another factor is the higher cost that some older employees may represent. Experienced workers often expect higher salaries, while employers may be able to hire younger people at a lower cost. Consequently, companies focused primarily on reducing expenditure may overlook highly experienced candidates.

Age discrimination can also be reinforced by outdated recruitment practices. For example, employers may use age-related assumptions when selecting candidates or regard long gaps in employment as evidence that an older applicant is no longer competitive. This creates a cycle in which experienced workers are denied opportunities to demonstrate that their skills remain relevant.

Several measures could help overcome this problem. First, governments should strengthen legislation against age discrimination in recruitment and promotion. Companies should be required to evaluate applicants according to relevant skills, qualifications and experience rather than age. Regular monitoring and meaningful penalties for discriminatory practices would make such regulations more effective.

Second, governments and employers should invest in lifelong training programmes. Older workers could receive subsidised courses in digital technology, data analysis, artificial intelligence and other emerging fields. For instance, a 55-year-old accountant who receives training in modern financial software may be just as capable of performing contemporary accounting work as a younger employee. Such programmes would address genuine skill gaps while also challenging stereotypes about older workers.

Finally, businesses should recognise the economic value of experience. Older employees often possess industry knowledge, professional networks and problem-solving abilities that take many years to develop. Flexible employment arrangements, including part-time positions, consultancy roles and mentoring programmes, could allow companies to benefit from these strengths while accommodating workers' changing needs.

In conclusion, the employment difficulties faced by people over 50 stem primarily from age-based discrimination, concerns about adaptability and the cost of experienced labour. Stronger legal protection, accessible retraining and greater recognition of experience could make labour markets considerably more inclusive while enabling businesses to benefit from a broader range of talent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified the causes—age discrimination, perceptions of adaptability, and cost—and provided logical, actionable solutions such as legislative changes, lifelong learning, and flexible work arrangements. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of the 55-year-old accountant. Your position is clear from the introduction and maintained consistently throughout the essay. The structure is balanced, ensuring that both the causes and the solutions receive sufficient attention. This is a comprehensive and well-reasoned response that meets all the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the causes and the solutions is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'for instance', and 'second', which help guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between sentences is logical, making the essay very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'widespread perception', 'outdated recruitment practices', and 'meaningful penalties' show a high level of control. You successfully incorporate topic-specific vocabulary related to the labor market and professional development. The word choices are natural and contribute to a sophisticated tone. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling, and the vocabulary is varied enough to avoid repetition while maintaining clarity and academic style throughout the entire response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a variety of sentence lengths and types, which keeps the writing engaging. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The accuracy is high, and the few minor slips that might occur in a longer text are absent here, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence and attention to detail.

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