Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-12

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)

In the present day and age, the problem of people over the age of 50 finding it difficult to get jobs is increasing. There are many reasons behind this problem, but it can be solved by taking some important steps.

To begin with, the first and main reason is that many companies prefer to hire young people. they think that young workers are more active and can learn new thinghs quickly. Secondy, some older people do not have enough knowledge of modern technology, which is needed for many jobs nowadays. For example, many companies requires workers to use computers and softwares. Thirdly, some employers think that older workers will ask for higher salaries, so threy prefer to hire younger people who may work for less money

however, this problem can be solved by taking some useful steps. one important step is to provide training to older people so they can learn new skils and use modern technalogy. moreover, the government should make strict rules to stop companies should understand that older worker have more experience and can help younger employees learn their jobs better. There steps can help older people find better jobs and improve their lives.

in conclusion, it can be concluded that finding good jobs after the age of 50 is a serious problem. The main reason are unfair treatment and alack of modern skills. However, if companies and there government take the right steps, this problem can be reduced and people can have a better future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address both parts of the question by identifying causes—employers’ preference for younger staff, gaps in technology skills, and assumptions about salary—and suggesting training and stronger rules. These points are relevant, but several are only briefly stated. For instance, you say older workers may lack technological knowledge without explaining how this affects their chances compared with younger applicants. The proposed government rules are also incomplete: “make strict rules to stop companies” does not specify what companies should be prevented from doing, and the following sentence shifts to a different measure. The conclusion restates the issue but does not clarify the solutions. The response is one word below the required minimum, so it does not meet the task’s length requirement. Develop each measure and support it with a specific example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a paragraph on causes, a paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “Second,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the main stages, and the causes are grouped together rather than mixed with the solutions. This meets the lower-band expectation of coherent overall organisation and shows some features of stronger progression. However, cohesion becomes unreliable in the solutions paragraph: “the government should make strict rules to stop companies should understand” joins two ideas without a clear grammatical or logical link. Some transitions are also mechanical, and the conclusion repeats the introduction rather than drawing the argument together. Use clearer links between each proposed measure and its purpose.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “modern technology,” “higher salaries,” “training,” and “experience.” However, the range is limited and several spelling errors or inaccurate word forms are noticeable, such as “thinghs,” “Secondy,” “skils,” “technalogy,” and “alack.” Some expressions are also vague or repetitive, including “important steps,” “useful steps,” and “better jobs.” These choices make the writing less precise and occasionally distract the reader, although the central meaning is generally recoverable. Aim to use more specific employment-related language and check spelling carefully. For example, explain what kind of training is needed and describe the rules as measures against age discrimination rather than relying on general phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the basic meaning is usually understandable. However, the range of structures is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. For example, “many companies requires workers” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “older worker have more experience” also needs agreement and a plural form. The sentence beginning “the government should make strict rules to stop companies should understand” is structurally incomplete because two clauses are joined without a suitable connection. Capitalisation at the start of sentences is also inconsistent, as in “they think” and “however.” Practise building accurate complex sentences with clear clause boundaries, and check agreement, plurals, and sentence punctuation during revision.

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

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