IELTS Writing Task 2: Ageing Population (Band 9 Sample)
This "problem and solution" question asks about the difficulties caused by ageing populations and how they might be addressed. A band-9 response identifies clear problems and matching, realistic solutions, developing each fully. Below is a model answer of roughly 285 words, followed by a breakdown of why it scores 9 on all four criteria.
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01 · The task
In many countries, people are living longer and the proportion of older people is increasing. What problems does this cause, and what measures could be taken to address them?
02 · Band 9 sample answer
285 words · Band 9Thanks to better healthcare and living standards, people in many countries are living far longer than before, and the share of elderly citizens is rising steadily. While this is in many ways a success story, it also creates serious challenges. This essay will outline the main problems and suggest how they might be managed.
1. The main problems
The most pressing issue is economic. As the proportion of retired people grows and the working-age population shrinks, there are fewer taxpayers to fund the pensions and healthcare that older citizens rely on, placing a heavy strain on public finances. A second problem is the burden on health and care services, since older people naturally require more medical attention, and many families struggle to look after ageing relatives while also working.
2. Possible solutions
Several measures could ease these pressures. The most obvious is to raise the retirement age, keeping people in work and paying taxes for longer, which many are healthy enough to do. Governments could also encourage higher birth rates and controlled immigration to replenish the workforce. In addition, investing in preventative healthcare and in support for family carers would help older people stay healthy and independent, reducing the demand on hospitals and care homes.
In conclusion, ageing populations threaten public finances and place growing demands on care systems, but these problems can be significantly eased by extending working lives, boosting the workforce and investing in healthy ageing.
03 · Why this scores Band 9
Both parts of the question are answered fully: the problems (economic strain and pressure on care services) are developed, and the solutions (a higher retirement age, a larger workforce, preventative healthcare) directly address them. The clear problem-then-solution mapping is exactly what this essay type requires.
The essay follows the ideal problem-solution shape — introduction, problems, solutions, conclusion — with one clear idea per paragraph and the solutions mirroring the problems. Cohesion is natural — "The most pressing issue is...", "A second problem is...", "The most obvious is to...", "In addition".
Vocabulary is precise and topic-appropriate — "the working-age population", "a heavy strain on public finances", "replenish the workforce", "preventative healthcare", "healthy ageing" — and each solution is expressed with natural collocation.
A wide range is controlled accurately: a participle clause carrying consequence ("placing a heavy strain on public finances"), a relative clause ("which many are healthy enough to do"), and parallel gerund phrases in the conclusion ("extending working lives, boosting the workforce and investing..."). The writing stays error-free.
04 · Useful collocations for this task
Tap a phrase to see what it means and how to use it. Natural collocations like these lift your Lexical Resource score.
05 · Frequently asked questions
How do I structure a "problems and solutions" essay?
Give one body paragraph to the problems and one to the solutions, ensuring each solution addresses a problem you raised. This model links "economic strain and pressure on care" directly to "raise the retirement age and invest in healthy ageing".
Do the solutions have to match the problems?
Yes — that link is what pushes the essay to band 9. If you name a problem but propose an unrelated solution, the answer feels disjointed. Every solution here responds to a difficulty raised earlier.
Should I present the ageing trend as entirely negative?
No — a brief acknowledgement that longer life is a success ("in many ways a success story") shows balance and sophistication, before you focus on the genuine challenges the question asks about.
How long should the essay be?
At least 250 words; a band-9 answer is usually 260–290. This model is 285 words, enough to develop both the problems and the solutions without padding.
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