Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

In many countries, people are living longer than they did in the past because of better healthcare and improved living conditions. Some people believe that an ageing population creates difficulties for governments, while others think that having more elderly people can bring benefits to society. This essay will discuss both views.

On the one hand, a growing elderly population can create several problems for governments. Firstly, governments need to spend more money on healthcare and pensions because older people usually require more medical treatment and financial support. This can put pressure on the government budget. Moreover, if the number of retired people increases, there may be fewer working-age people to pay taxes and support public services. As a result, governments may face financial difficulties in the long term.

On the other hand, there are also some benefits of having more elderly people in society. Older people have a lot of experience and knowledge, which they can share with younger generations. For example, they can guide young people in their careers and teach them important life skills. In addition, many elderly people continue to work or take part in community activities after retirement. Therefore, they can still make a useful contribution to society. Thus, it will be beneficial for individuals and society in the long term.

In my opinion, although an ageing population can create financial pressure on governments, I believe that elderly people can also be valuable members of society. Governments should provide proper healthcare and pension systems while encouraging older people to remain active and contribute to their communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, identifying both the problems and benefits of an aging population. You clearly state your position in the introduction and conclusion, which is a strength. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For instance, while you mention that older people have 'experience and knowledge,' providing a more specific example—such as the role of elderly mentors in professional sectors or the economic impact of the 'silver economy'—would have elevated the response. The conclusion is a bit brief; it would be stronger if it explicitly weighed the advantages against the disadvantages as requested by the prompt's 'to what extent' instruction.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Moreover,' and 'In addition' effectively to link your points. However, the transition between the final body paragraph and the conclusion is slightly abrupt. To reach a higher band, ensure that your concluding sentence synthesizes the arguments more deeply rather than just summarizing them. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to a coherent flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic clearly. Phrases like 'working-age people,' 'financial pressure,' and 'community activities' are accurate and relevant. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'people' and 'governments.' To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or academic collocations. For example, instead of 'create several problems,' you could use 'pose significant challenges.' While your word choice is generally accurate and does not impede communication, it lacks the sophistication and variety required for a higher band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional and contrastive structures effectively, such as 'although an ageing population can create financial pressure... I believe that...' and 'if the number of retired people increases, there may be fewer...' Your grammar is generally accurate, and there are very few errors that interfere with meaning. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, to demonstrate greater flexibility and control over your writing.

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

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