Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-21

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 7.5)

People are living longer today than at any other time in history due to improvements in healthcare, nutrition and living standards. While some argue that elderly people create problems for governments by placing a financial burden on public welfare schemes and pension systems, others believe that their presence is beneficial to society. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of an ageing population before explaining why I believe its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.

One of the major drawbacks of an ageing population is the increased economic pressure it places on the government. A substantial amount of public money has to be spent on pensions, healthcare and elderly care services. Older people are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases and other health problems. As a result, authorities need to invest more in hospitals by providing advanced medical equipment, such as CT scanners, X-ray machines, MRI scanners and ultrasound machines, as well as basic healthcare facilities. These services should be made available not only in urban areas but also in rural communities. For example, in India, the government has to allocate substantial funds to upgrade public hospitals and provide specialised medical equipment to meet the healthcare needs of the elderly population. Consequently, an ageing population can place considerable pressure on public finances.

On the other hand, older people can make a valuable contribution to society because they possess years of life experience and professional expertise. They can guide their families and younger generations when making important educational and career decisions, as well as provide practical advice in the workplace. Many retired people also work as volunteers or part-time advisers, helping younger people through workshops and sharing their professional knowledge and life experiences. For instance, a retired professional may become an adviser in their former field and mentor younger employees instead of remaining inactive at home. Therefore, it is evident that an ageing population can benefit society in several ways.

In conclusion, although an ageing population presents challenges such as increased healthcare expenditure and higher spending on pensions and welfare schemes, older people also play an important role in society through their experience, expertise and guidance. Therefore, I believe that the advantages of an ageing population outweigh its disadvantages to a considerable extent.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position from the introduction through to the conclusion. The ideas are well-developed, with the disadvantages (economic pressure, healthcare costs) and advantages (mentorship, professional expertise) clearly contrasted. The use of the example from India helps to ground the argument in reality. The essay maintains a consistent focus on the prompt throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points to support the writer's stance. The development is logical and sufficient to meet the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the disadvantages and advantages is handled smoothly using the phrase 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'for instance', and 'although' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different aspects of the argument. The flow is natural, and the reader is guided clearly through the writer's reasoning without any confusion or mechanical repetition.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic essay. The writer uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'public welfare schemes', 'chronic diseases', 'professional expertise', and 'healthcare expenditure'. The collocations are generally natural, and there is evidence of a flexible range of vocabulary that allows for clear expression of complex ideas. While the vocabulary is solid and accurate, it stays within a standard academic register without necessarily reaching for highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions that would characterise the highest band, but it is more than sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical control. There is a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional-like structures and subordinate clauses ('While some argue that...', 'As a result, authorities need to...'). Punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is consistently error-free. The writing is fluent, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the majority of sentences are accurate, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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