Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-27

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)

The trend towards aging populace has sparked considerable debate regarding its overall impact on the society and government.

In my view, although an aging society creates fiscal challenges for governments, the social, cultural, and familial benefits of having more elderly citizens in society outweigh these problems.

On the negative side, an increase in the population of aging citizens creates challenges for government. The authorities have to ceate more shelter homes for such residents, as well as better health care facilities are required to cope with the problems associated with old age. To illustrate this, among western nations such as UK, france, Italy, the state law allows the young individuals to live independently. Thus the older parents are left for the old homes. Nevertheless, this drawback is minor when compared to the broader advantages.

On the positive side, there are numerous benefits of elderly people in the society. Those individuals are rich in experience, wisdom, knowledge, and prctical life skills. The society can benefit from their knowledge and experience. Throughout, their life they must have taken risks which either brought success or failure to them. Through this learning they can provide guidence to the young generation in making the right decisions. Instead of sending them to shelter homes, we need to take advantage from their presence. To support, in asian countries like Pakistan, joint family system allows the people to stay with the elders and take benefit from their lifelong experience.

To conclude, elderly people are not a burden to society but they are rich source of knowledge, guidance, and support for the youth. They should be respected, loved, and supported. The benefits of having them definately outweigh the disadvantages.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear from the introduction: you acknowledge fiscal challenges but argue that the social and familial benefits outweigh them. You address both sides and support the benefits with relevant examples, particularly the guidance older people can offer and the joint-family system in Pakistan. This meets the task well, but the two sides are not developed equally. The disadvantages are mainly described as pressure on care facilities and shelter homes, without explaining the wider financial or workforce effects. The benefits also rely heavily on experience and advice, while other possible contributions are not explored. To strengthen the response, explain each main point more fully and connect the examples directly to why the advantages outweigh the costs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for disadvantages and advantages, and a conclusion that restates your view. Signposting such as “On the negative side,” “On the positive side,” and “To conclude” makes the progression easy to follow. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. “Nevertheless, this drawback is minor” asserts a comparison before the advantages have been explained, and “Throughout, their life” interrupts the flow of the example that follows. The sentence beginning “The authorities have to…” also combines two related points awkwardly. Use clearer links between claims and explanations, and make references such as “this drawback” precise so the reader can follow the reasoning without relying mainly on formulaic transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “fiscal challenges,” “elderly citizens,” “lifelong experience,” and “joint family system.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and you attempt less common expressions such as “practical life skills.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “aging populace,” “on the society,” “take advantage from their presence,” and “rich source of knowledge.” Spelling errors such as “ceate,” “prctical,” “guidence,” and “definately” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent understanding, but more consistent control of collocation and spelling would make the argument sound more natural and precise. Review vocabulary in context, especially common verb-preposition combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a concession in “although an aging society creates fiscal challenges…” and a conditional-style explanation of how older people can guide younger generations. Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors persist. For example, “as well as better health care facilities are required” does not form a balanced sentence, and “Throughout, their life” has incorrect punctuation and an unsuitable structure. There are also article and number issues in “the old homes” and “they are rich source.” Aim to build more accurate complex sentences by checking clause structure, articles, and singular/plural agreement. Greater consistency in these areas would improve control while preserving the range you already attempt.

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