Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In many countries, life expectancy has increased considerably, resulting in a growing proportion of elderly people in society. While this trend can create financial and social challenges for governments, I believe that the advantages of an ageing population outweigh its disadvantages, particularly because older people can make valuable contributions to families and communities.

One major disadvantage of an ageing population is the increased pressure on public services. As people grow older, they are more likely to require healthcare, pensions and long-term care. Consequently, governments may have to allocate a larger proportion of their budgets to hospitals, nursing facilities and social security. Furthermore, if the number of retired people increases while the working-age population declines, there may be fewer taxpayers to support these services. This can place a considerable financial burden on younger generations.

However, an ageing population can also bring several important benefits. Firstly, elderly people possess valuable knowledge, experience and skills accumulated over decades. They can share this experience with younger generations, both within families and in professional environments. For example, retired professionals can mentor younger workers or participate in community programmes. Secondly, older people often provide essential support to their families, such as caring for grandchildren, which can enable younger parents to continue working. In addition, longer lives mean that people have more opportunities to remain socially active, volunteer and contribute to their communities.

In conclusion, although an ageing population can increase pressure on healthcare systems, pensions and government finances, these challenges can be addressed through effective policies. The experience, family support and social contribution of older people make the overall impact of an ageing society more beneficial than harmful.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments for both the disadvantages (pressure on public services and financial burden) and the advantages (knowledge transfer and family support) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points and reaffirms your stance. The ideas are logically extended, and the response is balanced, providing a comprehensive answer to the 'to what extent' question.

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 smooth, using appropriate linking words like 'However' and 'Firstly'. Cohesive devices such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', and 'in addition' are used effectively to connect sentences and ideas. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, making the text easy to follow. The flow of information is natural and consistent throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'growing proportion', 'allocate a larger proportion', and 'accumulated over decades' show a level of precision and sophistication. You use topic-specific vocabulary correctly, such as 'life expectancy', 'social security', and 'working-age population'. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, incorporating a few more idiomatic or less common collocations could elevate the score further. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient and used with good control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'As people grow older, they are more likely to...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, which is consistent with the band 8 descriptor. The sentence variety keeps the reader engaged and supports the logical flow of your arguments.

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