Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 18 · 2026-11-03

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)

In many parts of the world today, the life spans are becoming longer and old populations are increasing. While some people agree that this population is good for the society, others believe that old people create more problems than benefits. Although both statements can be reasoned with, the advantages may dominate the disadvantages slightly.

Firstly, the presence of old populations in many countries of the world shows the access to better health facilities and the improvement in the quality of life. It highlights that the world we live in today is walking towards a positive development by curing diseases that were once incurable and caused deaths of people, especially those in their old ages. Furthermore, the second advantage of having older generations with us is the preservance of traditions and culture. In the modern age of technology, people often forget the roots they have come from which ultimately leads to the decline of their histories. However, these elderly people help to conserve the tales and stories related to the past civilizations and prevent their heritage from vanishing completely. For instance, in Kashmir, there are a number of local organizations run by elderly people who are trying their best to preserve and conserve their language and culture, and spread awareness among the younger generations.

Although the advantages of having old people around are many, it still raises a concern of depletion of resources. As the life spans are becoming longer without any change in the increasing birth rates, people need more spaces to live in. And for this purpose, a number of resources are being used continuously such as cutting down of trees for construction of houses, old age homes, etc. But this is the only problem which can be dealt with if resources are used in an efficient manner and their proper management is being taken into consideration.

In conclusion, aging population is better for the well-being of society in terms of preserving their heritage and awaring younger ones about their history. Moreover, the disadvantages it cause can be resolved if governments and individuals take necessary steps. Aging population is not a burden but an important asset that should be valued till it lasts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you argue that the advantages slightly outweigh the disadvantages, and the conclusion reinforces this view by describing older people as an “important asset.” You address both sides and give relevant support, especially the example of Kashmiri organisations preserving language and culture. However, the disadvantages are less fully explored: resource use and housing are mentioned, but the link between these pressures and an aging population is not explained in much detail. The health-care point also presents longer life expectancy as evidence of progress rather than developing a specific social benefit of having more elderly people. To strengthen the response, explain the effects of aging on government services and support each main point with more precise reasoning or an example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The essay has a clear overall structure, with an introduction, separate paragraphs for advantages and disadvantages, and a conclusion that returns to your position. Ideas generally progress logically, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Furthermore,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the argument. The Kashmir example is placed appropriately after the point about preserving culture. Some connections are less smooth or precise, however. For example, “Although the advantages … are many, it still raises a concern” shifts from plural advantages to a singular concern, making the reference slightly unclear. The transition from longer life expectancy to demand for housing also needs a clearer explanation. Use linking phrases selectively and make the relationship between each claim and its supporting detail explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “quality of life,” “preserve and conserve,” “heritage,” and “efficient manner.” These choices help communicate ideas about culture and resources, and the meaning remains clear throughout. You also attempt less common expressions, but some are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “preservance of traditions,” “walking towards a positive development,” and “awaring younger ones.” There is some repetition of “old people,” “advantages,” and “resources,” which limits flexibility. Aim for more precise collocations and vary references to older people and the effects of population aging. Checking word forms and choosing natural combinations will make your vocabulary more fluent and accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses beginning “Although” and “As,” and most sentences communicate their meaning clearly. The sentence about local organisations is extended but remains understandable, showing some ability to handle complex structures. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “the disadvantages it cause” should be “the disadvantages it causes,” while “aging population is better” needs an article or plural form, such as “an aging population is better.” In “Although …, it still raises a concern,” the pronoun does not clearly agree with the plural subject. Review agreement and article use, and keep long sentences controlled so that each clause has a clear subject.

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