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IELTS Writing Task 2

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? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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🤩 Sample answers

Model Essay #1:

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?

In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people believe that an aging population poses challenges for governments, while others argue that having more elderly individuals in society can be advantageous. This essay will discuss the extent to which the benefits of an aging population outweigh the drawbacks.

On the one hand, an aging population can strain government resources, particularly in the areas of healthcare and pensions. As people age, they often require more medical attention and support, placing a burden on healthcare systems. Additionally, a larger elderly population means more individuals relying on pensions, which can lead to financial strain for governments. For example, in Japan, where the population is rapidly aging, there has been a significant increase in healthcare costs and concerns about the sustainability of the pension system.

On the other hand, having more elderly people in society can bring about various benefits. Older individuals often have valuable life experience and knowledge, which can contribute to the overall wisdom of a community. Moreover, they can serve as mentors and role models for younger generations, passing down traditions and cultural heritage. For instance, in many indigenous communities, the elderly are highly respected for their wisdom and are integral to preserving cultural practices.

In conclusion, while an aging population does present challenges for governments, such as increased healthcare costs and pension demands, the benefits of having more elderly individuals in society should not be overlooked. Their wisdom, experience, and role in cultural preservation can enrich communities. Therefore, it can be argued that the advantages of an aging population outweigh the disadvantages to a significant extent.

Model Essay #2:

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?

In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people believe that an aging population creates challenges for governments, while others argue that having more elderly individuals in society can bring about benefits. This essay will discuss the extent to which the disadvantages of an aging population outweigh the advantages.

Firstly, an aging population can strain government resources, particularly in the areas of healthcare and pensions. As individuals age, they often require increased medical attention and support, placing a burden on healthcare systems. Additionally, a larger elderly population means more individuals relying on pensions, which can lead to financial strain for governments. For example, in many European countries, the rising number of elderly citizens has resulted in significant budgetary pressures for healthcare and social security systems.

Furthermore, an aging population can also lead to a decrease in the workforce and productivity. With more individuals reaching retirement age, there may be a shortage of skilled workers, which can negatively impact economic growth. This can be observed in countries like Germany and Italy, where the aging population has led to concerns about a shrinking labor force and its implications for the economy.

In conclusion, while it is true that having more elderly individuals in society can bring about certain benefits, such as wisdom and cultural preservation, the disadvantages of an aging population, including increased strain on healthcare and pension systems, as well as a potential decrease in the workforce, cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it can be argued that the drawbacks of an aging population outweigh the advantages to a significant extent.

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