Cambridge IELTS 18 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Ageing Population
Cambridge IELTS 18 · Test 4 · Academic Writing Task 2Advantages and disadvantagesGovernment & law
The question notes that people in many countries are living longer than ever. Some say an ageing population creates problems for governments, while others see benefits in having more elderly people, and candidates must decide to what extent the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
The question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people say an ageing 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 ageing population outweigh the disadvantages? Write at least 250 words.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.
How to read the question
- This is an advantages and disadvantages essay with an evaluative question: To what extent do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages means you must weigh the two sides and give a clear judgement, not just list them.
- The disadvantages are framed as problems for governments, so focus on issues such as pension costs, healthcare spending and a shrinking workforce paying taxes.
- The advantages are framed as benefits for society, which is wider: older people's work, volunteering, childcare, experience and spending all count.
- The topic is an ageing population, meaning a rising proportion of older people, not simply old people in general or how families should care for their grandparents.
- State your position in the introduction, for example that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages provided that governments adapt their policies, and keep it consistent to the conclusion.
- Use specific, credible examples such as Japan's ageing society or raising the retirement age, and avoid invented statistics.
Suggested position
Although an ageing population places real pressure on governments, I believe its advantages outweigh its disadvantages, provided that public policy adapts to this change.
Paragraph plan
- 1
Introduction
Paraphrase the idea that rising life expectancy is increasing the share of older people, and state your judgement: the advantages outweigh the disadvantages if governments adapt.
- 2
Body paragraph 1: the problems for governments
Explain the rising cost of pensions, healthcare and long-term care while the number of working-age taxpayers falls. Use Japan as an example of strain on public finances and labour shortages, and mention the risk of higher taxes for younger people.
- 3
Body paragraph 2: why the benefits are greater
Argue that longer lives reflect progress, that many older people keep working, volunteer or care for grandchildren, that they bring experience and support sectors such as leisure and health, and that policies such as a later retirement age and preventive healthcare can reduce the costs.
- 4
Conclusion
Restate that the challenges are mainly financial and can be managed, so the social and economic contributions of older people make an ageing population more advantageous than harmful overall.
Ideas and arguments
- Governments must spend more on state pensions, healthcare and long-term care as the number of elderly people grows.
- A smaller working-age population means fewer taxpayers to fund these services, which may lead to higher taxes or cuts.
- Some industries may face labour shortages, as seen in Japan, where nearly 30% of the population is aged 65 or over.
- Longer life expectancy is itself a sign of progress in medicine, nutrition and living conditions.
- Many older people remain healthy enough to keep working, volunteer in their communities or look after grandchildren, allowing parents to work.
- Experienced older workers can pass on skills and knowledge to younger colleagues.
- The spending power of retired people supports industries such as travel, leisure and healthcare, sometimes called the silver economy.
- Policies such as gradually raising the retirement age, flexible working and preventive healthcare can reduce the financial burden.
Band 8+ model answer
278 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.
In many parts of the world, people are living longer than ever, and the proportion of older citizens in the population is growing as a result. Although this trend places real pressure on governments, I believe its advantages outweigh its disadvantages, provided that public policy adapts.
The problems are undeniable. As more people reach retirement age, governments must spend more on state pensions, healthcare and long-term care, while the share of working-age taxpayers who fund these services shrinks. Japan, where nearly 30% of the population is aged 65 or over, illustrates how an ageing society can strain public finances and leave some industries short of workers. If nothing changes, younger generations may face higher taxes or reduced services.
However, these difficulties can largely be managed, whereas the benefits of an older society are substantial. First, longer lives are themselves a sign of success, reflecting improvements in medicine, nutrition and living conditions. Second, many older people remain healthy and active well beyond the traditional retirement age, so they can continue to contribute through paid work, volunteering or caring for grandchildren, which in turn allows parents to stay in employment. Third, older citizens bring experience and stability to workplaces and communities, and their spending supports growing sectors such as leisure, travel and health services. Finally, practical measures such as gradually raising the retirement age, encouraging flexible working and investing in preventive healthcare can considerably reduce the financial burden.
In conclusion, while an ageing population undoubtedly creates challenges for governments, these are mainly financial problems that sensible policy can address. The social and economic contributions of a larger and healthier older generation therefore make this development more advantageous than harmful overall.
Why this answer scores highly
- Task Response
- The answer weighs the problems for governments against the benefits for society and reaches a clear, consistent judgement, supported by relevant examples such as Japan and specific policy responses.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- The first body paragraph deals with the disadvantages and the second explains why the advantages are greater, with sequencing devices such as first, second and finally organising the benefits clearly.
- Lexical Resource
- Precise collocations such as strain public finances, long-term care, working-age taxpayers and preventive healthcare are used naturally, and the topic is paraphrased in varied ways.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- The essay uses conditional sentences, concessive clauses, relative clauses and passive forms accurately, showing flexible control of complex grammar.
Useful vocabulary
- an ageing population
- a population in which the proportion of older people is increasing
- life expectancy
- the average number of years a person is expected to live
- retirement age
- the age at which people usually stop working and can receive a pension
- state pension
- regular money paid by the government to people above a certain age
- working-age population
- people old enough and young enough to be in employment, usually 15 to 64
- tax base
- the total number of people and amount of income that a government can tax
- long-term care
- ongoing help for people who cannot fully look after themselves
- strain on public finances
- pressure on the money a government has available
- labour shortage
- a situation where there are not enough workers
- preventive healthcare
- medical care that stops illness before it develops
- the silver economy
- the part of the economy that provides goods and services for older people
- flexible working
- working arrangements such as part-time hours or working from home
- intergenerational
- involving or affecting different age groups
Common mistakes
- Listing advantages and disadvantages without ever saying which side is stronger, when the question asks to what extent one outweighs the other.
- Writing about how families should look after elderly relatives instead of the effects of an ageing population on governments and society.
- Giving a judgement in the introduction that contradicts the conclusion.
- Ignoring the word governments and discussing only personal problems of old age, such as loneliness, without linking them to public policy.
- Using made-up statistics or very general claims, such as old people are a burden, without explanation or examples.
- Repeating elderly people and ageing population throughout instead of paraphrasing with older citizens, senior citizens, retirees and longer life expectancy.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cambridge book is this question from?
- This question about whether the advantages of an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages is Writing Task 2 of Test 4 in Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic, published in 2023.
- Do I have to say the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
- No. You can argue either way, or that they are roughly balanced, as long as your judgement is clear and supported. What matters is that you weigh the two sides rather than just describing them.
- What examples can I use for an ageing population essay?
- Widely known examples work well, such as Japan's large elderly population, countries raising the retirement age, or grandparents providing childcare. Avoid inventing precise figures.
- How many words should I write for this Task 2?
- Write at least 250 words; about 270-310 words is usually enough to weigh both sides and reach a judgement in 40 minutes.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.