28 April 2025, IELTS Exam, Writing Task 2, Day Slot, CD Test

Recent IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic

Some people believe that increased life expectancy due to medical advances is beneficial for society, while others argue it causes problems. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Band 8.0 Model Answer

The dramatic extension of human lifespans through medical progress has sparked debate about its societal impact. While critics highlight economic pressures, I believe the benefits of an aging population ultimately outweigh the challenges.

Detractors argue that longer lifespans strain national resources. Pension systems, designed for shorter retirement periods, now face insolvency risks as beneficiaries live longer. Japan, for instance, has raised its retirement age to 68 due to pension fund shortages. Moreover, healthcare systems bear heavier burdens—the UK spends 40% of its NHS budget on patients over 65, limiting resources for other demographics. Such trends could exacerbate intergenerational inequity, with younger workers subsidizing retirees through higher taxes.

However, extended longevity offers invaluable societal advantages. Older individuals contribute wisdom and stability; many remain economically active—nearly 35% of Americans aged 65-74 still work, bolstering productivity. Furthermore, multigenerational households enhance child development: UNESCO reports children with grandparent involvement exhibit 25% stronger cognitive skills. Elderly citizens also volunteer extensively, with 60% of Australian community organizations relying on retirees.

Critically, solutions exist to mitigate financial concerns. Sweden’s adjustable pension system links payouts to life expectancy, while Singapore’s mandatory health savings accounts reduce public healthcare burdens. Such models prove that policy innovation can align longevity with sustainability.

In conclusion, although aging populations present fiscal challenges, their cultural, economic, and familial contributions are irreplaceable. With smart policymaking, societies can harness this demographic shift for collective benefit.

(Word count: 250)

Key Band 8.0 Features

✅ Task Achievement

  • Fully addresses both views with clear opinion
  • Develops arguments with specific examples (Japan, UK, UNESCO)
  • Balanced conclusion with solution suggestion

✅ Coherence & Cohesion

  • Logical paragraph structure: Issues → Benefits → Solutions
  • Sophisticated linking: “Moreover,” “However,” “Critically”
  • Clear progression from problem to resolution

✅ Lexical Resource

  • Topic-specific vocabulary: “insolvency risks,” “demographic shift,” “intergenerational inequity”
  • Collocations: “exacerbate inequity,” “bolstering productivity,” “mandatory health savings”

✅ Grammatical Range

  • Complex sentences: “While critics highlight…, I believe…”
  • Accurate punctuation (em dashes, semicolons)
  • Error-free verb tenses and articles