Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-04

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)

There has been an ongoing debate whether the increasing average life expectancy in multiple nation puts more strain to the government or not.Although this demographic trend can place pressure on healthcare systems and government finances, it can also benefit society by allowing older people to contribute their experience and support younger generations.

One significant disadvantage is that a large elderly population can create substantial financial and social pressures. Older citizens are more likely to require healthcare, long-term care and pension support, meaning government may have to devote a greater portion of public funds to these services. This could reduce the money available for areas such as education and Infrastructure. Morever, if the proportion of working-age people declines, country may experience labour shortages and slower economic growth. Japan, for instance, has faced considerable challenges associated with an ageing and shrinking workforce.

However, one major benefit of an ageing population is the wealth of experience and wisdom that older people can offer. Many elderly individuals have spent decades developing professional and practical skills, which can be passed on to younger generations through mentoring, volunteering or part-time employment. Furthermore, older people often provide valuabe support within their families, particularly by caring for grandchildren. This can enable younger parents to engage in full-time employment and contribute more actively to the economy as well as for their well beings. In this sense, a longer lifespan can strengthen both family relationships and communities.

In conclusion, while an inclining population can put considerable strain on public finances, healthcare and the labour market, its advantages should not be overlooked. With effective policies and adequate investment, the experience and contributions of older people can outweigh the associated disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt, providing a clear position that acknowledges both the challenges and the benefits of an aging population. Your ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples, such as the mention of Japan’s economic challenges and the role of grandparents in childcare. The argument is consistent throughout the essay, and you reach a clear conclusion. To reach a higher band, you could further develop the 'extent' of your opinion by explicitly stating whether the benefits outweigh the disadvantages earlier in the essay, rather than waiting until the final sentence to clarify your stance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and you use cohesive devices such as 'However,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In this sense' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the discussion of disadvantages and advantages. While the flow is generally smooth, some transitions could be more sophisticated to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Overall, the structure is clear and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'demographic trend,' 'labour shortages,' and 'wealth of experience' are used effectively. There are a few minor errors, such as 'valuabe' (spelling) and 'inclining population' (which is not a standard collocation for this context; 'aging' or 'greying' would be better). You show an awareness of style, but to reach a higher band, you should aim for more sophisticated collocations and ensure that less common items are used with complete accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively. Most of your sentences are clear and error-free, which allows for easy reading. However, there are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'in multiple nation' (should be 'nations') and 'country may experience' (missing an article, 'a country'). Additionally, 'as well as for their well beings' is slightly awkward; 'as well as for their well-being' would be more accurate. Despite these occasional errors, your control over complex structures is good, and the meaning is never obscured.

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