Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-14

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people say an aging population creates problems for governments. Other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people.

To what extent do the advantages of having an aging population outweigh the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Due to change in the climate, people are now living longer than ever before in many of the countries. Some indivisuals argue that aging population creates problems for the government, while others think that there are benefits if society has more elderly people. Although elders require extra care, I believe that older community plays a vital role in the society.

The commuinity which thinks that old age population creates problems for the government, debate that as you age older and older your body's metabolism starts to get weak whch makes you vulnerable to different illness and diseases that makes it difficult for the government to maintain an equal healthcare. Aside from health factor, most elders face financial issues as not everyone has a family or a one which takes care of them, longer age makes them unable to earn for themselves due to which most elders end up in an old home.

On the other hand, seniority means more experience, more wisdom, and better understanding of the world. Elders play a primary role in contributing towards the nation and society as they have lived a long life facing the hierarchy of life and learn through them. Elders have more practical knowledge than what is taught in books which makes them better councellor and teachers for teaching youth about wrong and right and to guide youngsters for their futures. In a child's life, their grandparents play an essential role in shaping them both morally and mentally.

In conclusion, elders have some disadvantages but they are ost useful to the society, due to these facts I strongly believe that elders are essential in benefitting general public and they are contributig more than what they get.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the question and state a clear view: although older people need extra care, they make an important contribution to society. The discussion of healthcare demands and financial insecurity is relevant, as are the examples of grandparents guiding children and older people sharing practical knowledge. However, the advantages are developed more fully than the disadvantages, and the claim that elders contribute to the nation is broad rather than supported with a specific example. The opening link to climate change is not explained and does not clearly support the topic. To strengthen the response, explain more precisely how the benefits outweigh the costs and develop each main point with a concrete example or consequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting disadvantages, a paragraph on benefits, and a conclusion. Transitions such as “On the other hand” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument, and the main ideas are generally grouped appropriately. Some connections are less clear or mechanical, however. For example, “Aside from health factor” introduces financial issues abruptly, while the long sentence beginning “Elders play a primary role” combines several claims without clearly showing how they relate. The conclusion repeats the position but does not bring the comparison between advantages and disadvantages together. Use clearer links between each claim and its explanation, and vary transitions so the progression feels more natural.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “aging population,” “financial issues,” “practical knowledge,” and “shaping them both morally and mentally.” These choices make the main ideas understandable, and you attempt less common expressions such as “vulnerable” and “contributing towards the nation.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “equal healthcare,” “the hierarchy of life,” and “better councellor.” Spelling errors such as “indivisuals,” “commuinity,” and “contributig” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more natural combinations and check spelling carefully; precise wording will make your argument sound clearer and more academic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a concession in the introduction (“Although elders require extra care”) and longer sentences explaining causes and effects. The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but some grammatical errors make parts harder to follow. For example, “as you age older and older your body's metabolism starts to get weak” has an awkward structure, and “illness and diseases that makes it difficult” has a subject–verb agreement problem. In “Elders have more practical knowledge … which makes them better … for teaching youth,” the clause structure is also difficult to control. Practise building complex sentences around one clear main clause, and check agreement, articles, and punctuation when joining ideas.

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