Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-10

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 6.0)

It can be observed that individuals over the age of 50 find it challenging to attain employment opportunities in some countries despite their expertise. Redundant skills can contribute to this factor, however it can be tackled through targeted taining programs.

Individuals over 50 struggle to find jobs due to some root causes, despite their experience. Although, older people have sufficient skills and knowledge, it is rarely applicable in this ever changing, tech oriented world. For instance, a company would employee a marketer who is more aware of trends on social media rather than someone who has limited exposure. Moreover, with age workers tend to become more rigid to their schedules. For example a minor edit that is required at an odd time is more easily executed by younger generation than older people owing to their less flexible nature. Consequently, young employees become more reliable leaving less room for older employees.

This can be tackled gradually to make more career opportunities for the senior individuals. Firstly, regulatory bodies can initiate trainings and workshops for middle aged employees, to teach them new skills and evolving methods and tools to stay efficient when they reach the age of 50 or above. This will keep them updated and equalize their chances for employment and promotions. Secondly, a flexible culture can be nurtured in an organization where deliverables are measured without policing individuals to stick to office routines.

To conclude, it can be challenging for older applicants to secure employment due to their redundant skills and lack of flexible nature, but it is not something that cannot be tackled through government funded trainings and adapting to relaxed office cultures with measureable deliverables. These changes can impact a country's ability to increase its workforce and employment rates.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the question: it identifies outdated skills and reduced flexibility as causes, then proposes training and more flexible workplace practices. The examples about social-media marketing and responding to edits at unusual times make the causes relevant. However, some ideas are asserted rather than fully explained. For instance, the claim that older workers become “more rigid to their schedules” is broad and risks generalising; explain that this may apply to some workers or employers’ perceptions, and support it more carefully. The proposed training is relevant, but its delivery and likely impact could be made more specific. A clearer explanation of how employers or governments would implement these measures would develop the response more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph on causes, a paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion. Ideas generally progress in a sensible order, and examples are placed alongside the points they illustrate. Linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “For instance,” and “To conclude” help guide the reader. At times, however, the connections feel mechanical or the reference is not fully clear. “Consequently, young employees become more reliable” follows a claim about flexibility, but reliability is not directly established; explain the link or use a more precise result. The opening also previews only one cause and one solution, while the body develops two of each. A more complete thesis and smoother links between claims would strengthen cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “targeted training programs,” “evolving methods,” “career opportunities,” and “deliverables.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning remains clear despite some inaccurate or unnatural expressions. For example, “redundant skills” suggests skills that are unnecessary, whereas “outdated skills” better conveys the intended meaning; “employee” is also used where the verb “employ” is needed. There are spelling errors such as “taining” and “measureable,” and phrases such as “rigid to their schedules” are not natural collocations. Aim for more precise employment-related wording and check spelling and word forms during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex structures, including a concession clause (“Although older people have sufficient skills…”) and a relative clause (“a minor edit that is required…”). Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical and punctuation errors remain. “Although” should not be followed by a full stop before the main clause, and “For example” needs a comma after it. In “a company would employee a marketer,” the verb form is incorrect; use “employ.” The sentence beginning “Firstly, regulatory bodies…” also has an unnecessary comma before “to teach.” Review clause punctuation, verb forms, and sentence boundaries. More consistently accurate complex sentences would improve control while preserving the range already attempted.

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