Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-14

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)

I believe that an aging population brings more advantages than disadvantages. One major benefit is that older people have extensive life experience, which enables them to provide valuable guidance to younger generations. They have faced numerous challenges throughout their lives and can therefore advise younger people on how to deal with difficult situations and avoid common mistakes. From my perspective, the knowledge and experience of older citizens can be extremely valuable to families and society. Furthermore, elderly people can play an important role in passing cultural values, traditions and practical knowledge to younger generations.

On the other hand, an aging population can also create considerable financial pressure on governments. In many developed countries, elderly people rely on government support for pensions, healthcare and other essential services. As people live longer, governments may have to spend a larger proportion of their budgets on medical treatment and social welfare. Moreover, when a significant number of people retire, the working-age population may become relatively smaller, which can place additional pressure on the economy. Consequently, governments may need to allocate substantial resources to support their elderly citizens.

In conclusion, although an aging population can increase government expenditure on pensions, healthcare and social welfare, I believe that its advantages outweigh its disadvantages. The valuable experience, knowledge and guidance that older people provide can make a significant contribution to families and society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response presents a clear position and addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of an aging population. Ideas are relevant and supported with explanations regarding guidance, traditions, and financial pressures. However, the response falls short of the minimum 250-word requirement, containing only 226 words. This under-length issue prevents the full development required for higher bands, as the arguments, particularly regarding the societal benefits, are somewhat brief and lack extended examples. Consequently, the task achievement is constrained by the length penalty.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The response is divided into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing distinct viewpoints, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices are used appropriately, such as 'On the other hand', 'Furthermore', and 'Consequently', which help guide the reader smoothly through the arguments. Referencing is clear, and the overall arrangement is coherent. The student successfully manages the flow of ideas despite the shorter length of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate and appropriate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'extensive life experience', 'financial pressure', 'essential services', and 'allocate substantial resources'. While there are attempts at less common lexical items, the vocabulary remains fairly standard for this topic without showing the flexibility or precise stylistic control characteristic of higher bands. Spelling and word choice are accurate throughout, ensuring that communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or relative clauses such as 'which enables them to provide valuable guidance' and 'when a significant number of people retire'. Grammatical accuracy is generally high, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to separate clauses and structure the essay. Although the range of complex structures is somewhat limited compared to higher bands, the control over basic and moderately complex grammar is solid and reliable.

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

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