Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-10-29

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 5.5)

The lifespan of people in most countries is increasing day by day. It is argued that older citizens cause problems for the government of that country, while others believe that having them in our society is beneficial. I strongly agree that the advantages of having them outweigh the disadvantages because their knowledge and experience lead us to the right path in life. Moreover, we can always have them as our angel guardians.

On the other hand, having more elderly citizens in the country may be a burden for the government. This is because a major part of the national fund has to be allocated to welfare for these people, even though they are no longer contributing to the national income. As a result, the country may fall apart to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens. I believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the major advantages of having more elderly people is that they offer the young generation guidance, which they have earned through their lifetime journey. Due to this, there is less chance that the young get misled or feel puzzled at their difficult situation. Another benefit is that older people act as a source of knowledge for the young generation. Their experience over the years has made them more knowledgeable in any field of life. However, having them in life can be a blessing for the young generation.

Although, having more older people are seen as problems to governments, it also has advantages as they provide solutions for real-life problems based on their years of their experience.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear: you believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and you identify guidance and experience as advantages while acknowledging the cost of welfare. These points are relevant, but the response only partly develops the comparison the question asks for. The disadvantage is described briefly, and the benefits largely repeat the idea that older people offer knowledge and guidance; there is little explanation of how these benefits compare with the financial pressure on governments. The claim that the country may “fall apart” is also not explained or supported. To strengthen the response, develop distinct benefits and drawbacks with specific examples, then explain why one side carries greater weight.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an introduction, body paragraphs and a concluding statement, and phrases such as “On the other hand” and “As a result” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, progression is uneven: the second paragraph ends by repeating that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and the final paragraph restates the earlier point about experience rather than drawing the argument together. Several linking expressions are awkward or do not clearly show the relationship between ideas, including “Although” at the start of the final paragraph and “However” before a sentence that supports the preceding point. Organise the body around separate, developed arguments and use transitions that accurately signal contrast, cause or addition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “national fund,” “welfare,” “national income,” “guidance” and “experience.” These choices help communicate the main ideas, and the meaning is generally understandable. However, the range is limited by repeated references to “young generation,” “experience” and “advantages,” while several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “angel guardians,” “lifetime journey” and “fall apart” in the context of government spending. Aim for more precise language about public expenditure, pension and healthcare costs, and the contribution older people can make through mentoring or community involvement. More accurate collocations would make the argument clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a subordinate clause in “This is because a major part of the national fund has to be allocated…” and a relative clause in “guidance, which they have earned…”. The main message remains understandable, but errors in sentence construction and agreement recur. For example, “Although, having more older people are seen as problems” has an incorrect opening structure and subject–verb agreement; “their years of their experience” also shows faulty construction. The sentence beginning “Moreover” is not well integrated with the argument. Practise building accurate contrast clauses and checking that subjects agree with their verbs, then proofread each sentence for repeated or missing words.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.