Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-25
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)
In many countries, people are living longer than they did in the past, resulting in a growing elderly population. Although an ageing population can create some challenges for governments, I believe that the advantages of having more elderly people in society outweigh the disadvantages.
On the one hand, an ageing population can place considerable pressure on governments and younger generations. As the number of elderly people increases, governments may need to spend more money on healthcare, pensions and social services. This can put a significant burden on public finances. In addition, there may be fewer working-age people to support retired citizens through taxation. For example, if a country has a large number of retired people compared with its workforce, the government may face difficulties in maintaining pension and healthcare systems.
On the other hand, having a larger elderly population can bring several important benefits to society. Firstly, older people have valuable knowledge and life experience that can be shared with younger generations. They can provide guidance and support to their families and communities. Secondly, many elderly people remain active after retirement and can contribute to society through volunteering, caring for grandchildren or participating in community activities. Furthermore, the growth of the elderly population can create more demand for healthcare, tourism and other services, which can generate employment and contribute to economic activity
In conclusion, although an ageing population can increase pressure on healthcare, pensions and government finances, I believe that its benefits are greater. The experience, knowledge and social contributions of older people can be highly valuable to families and communities, provided that governments prepare appropriate support systems.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that the advantages of an aging population outweigh the disadvantages. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, with clear supporting points for both sides. For instance, the discussion on economic pressure regarding pensions and the counter-argument regarding the social contributions of the elderly are logically presented. The response maintains a consistent stance throughout, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, real-world examples (e.g., mentioning a specific country's policy) to further extend the ideas.
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 two sides of the argument is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'Furthermore'. The paragraphing is logical and helps the reader follow the argument easily. Referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural. The use of cohesive devices is consistent and effective without being mechanical, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'public finances', 'working-age', 'retired citizens', and 'social services'. The control of word choice is generally accurate, and the tone is appropriately formal. While the vocabulary is effective, it lacks a high degree of sophistication or 'less common' lexical items that would elevate it to the highest band. However, the range is flexible enough to convey complex ideas clearly and precisely, with no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional structures ('if a country has...') and concessive clauses ('although an ageing population...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the grammatical range is solid, it does not consistently feature the high level of flexibility or the variety of complex structures required for a band 8 or 9. Nevertheless, the control is strong, and errors are virtually non-existent, making the writing very easy to read.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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