Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-12

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 7.0)

Nowadays, people are living longer than they did in the past, which has resulted in an increasing number of elderly people in many countries. Although an ageing population can create some challenges for governments, I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One major disadvantage of having a large elderly population is the increased pressure on public services. Older people are more likely to require medical treatment and long-term care, meaning that governments may need to spend more money on healthcare and social services. In addition, if the proportion of retired people becomes too high compared with the working population, there may be fewer workers paying taxes to support these services. This could put financial pressure on younger generations.

However, an ageing population also has several important benefits. Firstly, older people can contribute valuable knowledge and experience to society. Even after retirement, many elderly people can support younger generations by sharing their professional and life experience. For example, retired teachers or business owners can provide advice and guidance to younger people. Secondly, having more elderly people can strengthen family relationships, as grandparents often play an important role in caring for children and supporting their families.

Furthermore, longer life expectancy is generally a sign of improvements in healthcare and living standards. People are able to enjoy more years with their families and remain active members of their communities for longer. Governments can also encourage older people to work part-time or volunteer, allowing them to continue contributing to society.

In conclusion, although an ageing population can increase pressure on healthcare systems and public finances, I believe its benefits are greater because older people provide valuable experience, family support and social contributions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the disadvantages (pressure on public services and tax base) and advantages (knowledge transfer, family support, and social contributions) clearly explained. Each paragraph provides relevant examples, such as retired teachers or business owners, which supports your main points effectively. The conclusion provides a clear summary of your position, ensuring the task is fully satisfied. To reach a higher band, you could further extend the discussion on the 'extent' of the advantages, perhaps by briefly contrasting the severity of the economic burden against the long-term societal gains.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and advantages is smooth, using appropriate linking phrases like 'However' and 'Furthermore'. Cohesive devices are used effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the academic context. Phrases like 'increasing number of elderly people', 'financial pressure', and 'valuable knowledge and experience' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is sufficient and precise, it is generally standard. To achieve a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to demonstrate greater flexibility. For instance, instead of 'important benefits', you could use 'significant societal advantages' or 'profound positive implications'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and there are no instances where word choice impedes communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'if the proportion of retired people becomes too high... there may be fewer workers'. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your sentences. The majority of your writing is error-free, and the few minor slips do not interfere with meaning. To push toward a higher band, you could experiment with more varied complex structures, such as inversion or more advanced relative clauses, to show greater control over sophisticated grammatical forms.

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