Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-09-16

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 7.0)

In many countries, people are living longer than ever before, which has led to a steady rise in the number of elderly people. Although this trend can create some serious problems for governments, I believe that an aging population can also bring considerable benefits to society, particularly through the experience and support older people can offer.

One major disadvantage is the growing pressure on healthcare and pension systems. Elderly people are more likely to need regular medical treatment and financial support after retirement. As a result, governments may have to allocate more public money to healthcare and pensions, which can place a substantial burden on national budgets. Another concern is the decline in the working-age population. When a large number of people retire, there are fewer workers available to fill important jobs and pay taxes. This can lead to labour shortages and reduce the amount of money governments collect from the workforce. Therefore, an aging population can create significant economic challenges, especially in countries where the number of elderly people is rising rapidly.

Despite these drawbacks, older people can make a valuable contribution to society. First, they possess a wealth of knowledge and life experience that can benefit younger generations. Retired teachers, doctors and other professionals, for example, can share their expertise with younger people and help them make better decisions in their careers. In addition, many elderly people play an important role within their families. Grandparents can look after young children while their parents are working, reducing some of the pressure on working parents. In this way, older people can remain active members of society rather than being seen only as recipients of government support.

In conclusion, an aging population can put considerable pressure on healthcare, pension systems and the labour market. However, the knowledge, experience and family support provided by older people can have far-reaching social benefits. I therefore believe that the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages, provided that governments create suitable opportunities for elderly people to remain active and contribute to their communities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by exploring both the negative and positive aspects of an aging population before clearly weighing them to reach a well-supported conclusion. The position is maintained throughout the essay. The student develops relevant ideas effectively, such as discussing the economic and healthcare burdens in the second paragraph, and balancing this with the transfer of knowledge and family support in the third paragraph. Examples, such as retired professionals sharing expertise and grandparents looking after young children, are well chosen to support the main arguments, meeting all the requirements for a Band 7.5 or Band 8 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay displays clear logical organisation and a smooth progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with a clear introduction, moving through the disadvantages and advantages in well-structured body paragraphs, and ending with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'One major disadvantage', 'Despite these drawbacks', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is handled securely, and paragraphing is used both sufficiently and appropriately, corresponding well to the Band 8 criteria for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion. Less common items and collocations are used with reasonable precision, including phrases like 'steady rise', 'substantial burden', 'labour shortages', and 'wealth of knowledge'. While the vocabulary choice is generally effective and allows for precise communication, there are occasional instances where simpler words are used where slightly more sophisticated academic alternatives could enhance the register. Overall, the lexical range easily satisfies the Band 7 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay showcases a strong variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses, conditional structures ('provided that governments create...'), and participial phrases without losing control of grammar or punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the few minor imperfections do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical control and range displayed here align strongly with the Band 7.5 to Band 8 descriptors.

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