Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-01

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 recent decades, increasing life expectancy has led to a significant shift in the demographic structure of many countries. While an aging population presents certain financial and social challenges for governments, I believe that these disadvantages are outweighed by the valuable contributions and experience that elderly citizens bring to society.

On the one hand, an aging population creates several serious problems for governments. The most significant issue is the strain on public healthcare systems and pension funds. As people live longer, they often require more medical care for chronic conditions, which increases government spending on hospitals and elderly care. Additionally, with a smaller proportion of the population of working age, the tax base shrinks, making it difficult for states to sustain pension schemes. For example, countries like Japan face severe labor shortages and economic pressure because the number of retirees is growing much faster than the workforce.

On the other hand, there are clear benefits to having more elderly people in society. Older generations possess a wealth of knowledge, skills, and life experience that can benefit younger people. Many seniors continue to work, act as mentors in workplaces, or start new entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, elderly people often play a vital role in families and communities by providing childcare and participating in volunteer work. This reduces the burden on working parents and strengthens community bonds. For instance, retired grandparents frequently look after their grandchildren, which allows both parents to remain in the workforce and contributes to family stability.

In conclusion, although an aging population introduces serious economic and healthcare challenges, the benefits of tapping into the wisdom, social support, and continued productivity of older citizens are greater. Governments can manage these drawbacks by raising retirement ages and investing in preventative healthcare, allowing society to fully benefit from an experienced older population.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments regarding both the challenges (healthcare and pension strain) and the benefits (mentorship, family support, and productivity) are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of Japan and the role of grandparents. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position and offers a forward-looking perspective on how governments can mitigate the drawbacks. The ideas are logically extended, and the response is balanced, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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 challenges and the benefits is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Additionally', and 'For instance' is natural and helps guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate distinct points, and the overall structure is coherent and easy to follow throughout the entire piece.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'demographic structure', 'chronic conditions', 'entrepreneurial ventures', and 'preventative healthcare' show a level of sophistication. The word choice is generally precise and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. While the vocabulary is strong, it could be pushed further toward a more 'uncommon' or 'idiomatic' range to reach the highest band, but for this task, the current level is highly effective and accurate in its collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional-like structures. 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 flow of the sentences is natural, and you have successfully integrated various sentence types to maintain interest and clarity. The accuracy is consistent throughout the response, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.

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