Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-24

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 the modern world, different countries and governments have diverse populations. Some countries have a significantly ageing population, while others have many young adults.

Some people think an ageing population creates a lot of problems for the government. A major reason is that a lot of the public's tax money is spent on caring for older individuals. Furthermore, older individuals cannot be part of the workforce and hence cannot contribute to the economy. In addition to that, the elderly do not spend money on lifestyle expenses compared to young adults who consume goods and boost their country's economy. For example, the elderly generally retire from work after 60 and mostly spend their time at home, thereby not buying goods or selling their skills in the market, which impacts the economy.

Others, however, think that having more elderly people benefits society. This can be largely attributed to the fact that they have significant experience both in life and in work, which could act as guidance for the newer generations. In addition, many self-sufficient elderly people take up freelancing roles in consulting or non-physical jobs even after retirement just to keep themselves engaged and earn some money. In addition, the elderly often buy health equipment, which boosts the health industries. Moreover, an ageing population demands caretakers, which in turn gives a lot of jobs to younger people, which indirectly boosts the economy. For example, in countries like Germany and Japan, there is a massive demand for healthcare workers, and even people from other countries work in those sectors, contributing to the economy.

To conclude, having a massive ageing population has its own merits and challenges. There is a lot of potential and merit if we can think of ways to address and mitigate those challenges.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both the problems and benefits of an aging population. You clearly state your position in the conclusion, although it would have been stronger to state your stance on the extent to which advantages outweigh disadvantages in the introduction. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as the mention of Germany and Japan. To reach a higher band, ensure that your position is clearly maintained throughout the entire essay rather than just summarized at the end. The development of ideas is generally logical, though some points, such as the claim that the elderly do not spend money, could be nuanced further as they often spend significantly on healthcare and services.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition to that', and 'Moreover' to link your points. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes a bit mechanical or repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'In addition'. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the transition between the two sides of the argument is smoother. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the opposing viewpoints, which helps the reader follow your line of reasoning easily.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'mitigate', 'self-sufficient', and 'freelancing roles' appropriately. There is some repetition of basic words like 'economy' and 'elderly'. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or collocations to avoid repetition. For instance, instead of repeating 'boost the economy', you could use 'stimulate economic growth' or 'contribute to financial stability'. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication and variety required for the higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow, and your grammar is generally accurate. There are no major errors that impede communication. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate a wider variety of subordinate clauses or conditional sentences. For example, instead of 'Some people think...', you could use 'While it is often argued that an aging population presents significant challenges, others contend that...'. This would demonstrate better control over complex grammatical forms.

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