Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-08-30

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 6.0)

Having an aging population has sentimental value rather than economic value for society.

Governments might weigh their need in society in-accordance with necessity and services they have to establish for the aging population. In economic perspective, they might not be able to contribute to the GDP of their country. Instead, a substaintial amount of GDP might be used to provide services and facilities for the elderly people. One of the biggest example is elderly people getting life-long pension from government departments. A huge amount of revenue is also spent on elderly care services established by governemnts.

But, in my opinion, advantages of having aging people are far more than disadvantages. Societies and families keep in touch with their roots because of their elders. Old cultures, traditions and history are kept alive by these elders who have lived them.

They not only keep young people in touch with the past but also provide invaluable insights for their better future. With their vast experience at life, they guide the coming generation on how to live a better and balanced life. My grandmother has always given me invaluable insights on how to become more strong and independent as a girl. Her insights have significantly played a positive role in my life.

They also help societies to hold governments accountable and create better living conditions and create more opportunites for young people. As a conclusion, we can say that aging people have more advantages than disadvantages for the society, irrespective, of the government's opinion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both the economic challenges and the social benefits of an aging population. You clearly state your position that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention economic burdens like pensions and healthcare, these points could be expanded with more specific examples or data-driven arguments. Similarly, the social benefits are discussed in general terms. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is fully extended with a clear link back to the prompt's core question regarding the balance between these two sides.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from the economic disadvantages to the social advantages. There is a clear progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. For example, the transition between the first and second paragraphs is abrupt. You rely on basic connectors like 'But' and 'As a conclusion'. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to create smoother transitions between sentences and paragraphs, which will help the flow of your argument feel more natural and sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'economic perspective', 'invaluable insights', and 'accountable'. However, there are some spelling errors, such as 'substaintial' and 'governemnts', and some awkward phrasing like 'sentimental value rather than economic value'. While these errors do not impede communication, they prevent the essay from reaching a higher band. To improve, focus on refining your word choice for greater precision and ensuring that your spelling is accurate, as these small details significantly impact the overall impression of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'One of the biggest example is' (should be 'examples are') and 'irrespective, of the government's opinion' (incorrect comma usage). Additionally, some articles are missing or misused. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and punctuation rules. While you attempt complex structures, ensuring they are error-free is key to achieving a higher score. Try to proofread specifically for these common grammatical slips before finalizing your work.

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

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