This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the new IELTS Cambridge 18 book of past tests on the topic of people living longer and an ageing population.

You can also sign up for my full EBooks below:

Full IELTS EBooks on Patreon

Dave

IELTS Cambridge 18: Living Longer / An Ageing Population

Around the world, people are now living longer than ever before in the past. Some say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Others believe there are benefits to society having more elderly people.

To what extent do the advantages of possessing an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages?

It has become increasingly common today for individuals to live longer than they did in past generations. Although many point out that ageing populations hinder a nation economically, I would argue that the benefits for society as a whole overshadow these perceived drawbacks.

The main reason that many fixate on the negatives associated with an ageing population relates to the financial implications. Governments and companies must both take into account the age of their population and plan accordingly. For instance, Japan has a famously old population that requires the government to make budgetary allowances for better healthcare and shortages in the labor force. The economy more generally in Japan must overcome a shrinking consumer market as young people are more likely to shop, travel, and spend freely. This same situation applies to varying degrees in nearly every country around the world at different moments in their history.

However, the economic effects of an ageing population are less important than the value of older generations. In most societies globally, young people are more progressive and push society forward. Older generations typically serve as a stabilizing ballast that keeps forward momentum from becoming too chaotic. This can take the form of advice given by elders within families to young people or more broadly across the entire political spectrum of a country. Although this conservatism can feel limiting to younger generations at first, most would admit as they get older that the influence of more experienced and wiser family members was generally positive on an individual and societal level.

In conclusion, despite the economic repercussions of older population demographics, I believe that the less tangible benefits for families make this a positive development. Naturally, there are legitimate downsides that must be collectively managed by governments and individuals alike.

Analysis

1. It has become increasingly common today for individuals to live longer than they did in past generations. 2. Although many point out that ageing populations hinder a nation economically, I would argue that the benefits for society as a whole overshadow these perceived drawbacks.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The main reason that many fixate on the negatives associated with an ageing population relates to the financial implications. 2. Governments and companies must both take into account the age of their population and plan accordingly. 3. For instance, Japan has a famously old population that requires the government to make budgetary allowances for better healthcare and shortages in the labor force. 4. The economy more generally in Japan must overcome a shrinking consumer market as young people are more likely to shop, travel, and spend freely. 5. This same situation applies to varying degrees in nearly every country around the world at different moments in their history.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Vary long and short sentences.

1. However, the economic effects of an ageing population are less important than the value of older generations. 2. In most societies globally, young people are more progressive and push society forward. 3. Older generations typically serve as a stabilizing ballast that keeps forward momentum from becoming too chaotic. 4. This can take the form of advice given by elders within families to young people or more broadly across the entire political spectrum of a country. 5. Although this conservatism can feel limiting to younger generations at first, most would admit as they get older that the influence of more experienced and wiser family members was generally positive on an individual and societal level.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Keep adding…

1. In conclusion, despite the economic repercussions of older population demographics, I believe that the less tangible benefits for families make this a positive development. 2. Naturally, there are legitimate downsides that must be collectively managed by governments and individuals alike.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

It has become increasingly common today for individuals to live longer than they did in past generations. Although many point out that ageing populations hinder a nation economically, I would argue that the benefits for society as a whole overshadow these perceived drawbacks.

The main reason that many fixate on the negatives associated with an ageing population relates to the financial implications. Governments and companies must both take into account the age of their population and plan accordingly. For instance, Japan has a famously old population that requires the government to make budgetary allowances for better healthcare and shortages in the labor force. The economy more generally in Japan must overcome a shrinking consumer market as young people are more likely to shop, travel, and spend freely. This same situation applies to varying degrees in nearly every country around the world at different moments in their history.

However, the economic effects of an ageing population are less important than the value of older generations. In most societies globally, young people are more progressive and push society forward. Older generations typically serve as a stabilizing ballast that keeps forward momentum from becoming too chaotic. This can take the form of advice given by elders within families to young people or more broadly across the entire political spectrum of a country. Although this conservatism can feel limiting to younger generations at first, most would admit as they get older that the influence of more experienced and wiser family members was generally positive on an individual and societal level.

In conclusion, despite the economic repercussions of older population demographics, I believe that the less tangible benefits for families make this a positive development. Naturally, there are legitimate downsides that must be collectively managed by governments and individuals alike.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

It has become increasingly common today for more and more people do this now

in past generations before

Although despite, however

point out argue

ageing populations hinder a nation economically older demographics in a country hurt it in terms of finances

argue contend

benefits for society as a whole overshadow positives for everyone are stronger than

perceived drawbacks what people think are the bad parts

fixate on focus on

negatives associated with an ageing population bad parts related to having too many old people

financial implications

take into account consider

plan accordingly anticipate as a result

famously old population everyone knows there are lots of old people

make budgetary allowances save money

healthcare hospitals

shortages in the labor force not enough workers

overcome a shrinking consumer market recover from not having shoppers

spend freely use money without thinking much

This same situation applies to varying degrees true somewhat in other places

in nearly every country around the world in almost everywhere in the world

at different moments in their history throughout time

economic effects financial impact

value importance

In most societies globally around the world

progressive liberal, want to move forward

push society forward advance society

serve as a stabilizing ballast keep society from moving too fast

keeps forward momentum from becoming too chaotic stops it from going too quickly

This can take the form of one way this exists is

broadly across the entire political spectrum of a country generally over the social aspects of a nation

conservatism not progressive

limiting keeping back

at first initially

admit concede

influence effect

wiser family members smarter people in a family

generally positive on an individual and societal level overall good for people

despite the economic repercussions of regardless of the effects on finances

population demographics how many people are in a country

less tangible benefits not concrete

Naturally of course

legitimate downsides real bad effects

collectively managed by altogether supervised by

alike both

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɪt hæz bɪˈkʌm ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈkɒmən təˈdeɪ fɔː 
ɪn pɑːst ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊnz 
ɔːlˈðəʊ 
pɔɪnt aʊt 
ˈeɪʤɪŋ ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊnz ˈhaɪndər ə ˈneɪʃᵊn ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪkəli 
ˈɑːɡjuː 
ˈbɛnɪfɪts fɔː səˈsaɪəti æz ə həʊl ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ 
pəˈsiːvd ˈdrɔːbæks 
fɪkseɪt
ˈnɛɡətɪvz əˈsəʊʃɪeɪtɪd wɪð ən ˈeɪʤɪŋ ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn 
faɪˈnænʃəl ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz 
teɪk ˈɪntuː əˈkaʊnt 
plæn əˈkɔːdɪŋli 
ˈfeɪməsli əʊld ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn 
meɪk ˈbʌʤɪtəri əˈlaʊənsɪz 
ˈhɛlθkeə 
ˈʃɔːtɪʤɪz ɪn ðə ˈleɪbə fɔːs 
ˌəʊvəˈkʌm ə ˈʃrɪŋkɪŋ kənˈsjuːmə ˈmɑːkɪt 
spɛnd ˈfriːli 
ðɪs seɪm ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊn əˈplaɪz tuː ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈɡriːz 
ɪn ˈnɪəli ˈɛvri ˈkʌntri əˈraʊnd ðə wɜːld 
æt ˈdɪfrənt ˈməʊmənts ɪn ðeə ˈhɪstəri 
ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɪˈfɛkts 
ˈvæljuː 
ɪn məʊst səˈsaɪətiz ˈɡləʊbəli 
prəʊˈɡrɛsɪv 
pʊʃ səˈsaɪəti ˈfɔːwəd 
sɜːv æz ə ˈsteɪbɪlaɪzɪŋ ˈbæləst 
kiːps ˈfɔːwəd məʊˈmɛntəm frɒm bɪˈkʌmɪŋ tuː keɪˈɒtɪk 
ðɪs kæn teɪk ðə fɔːm ɒv 
ˈbrɔːdli əˈkrɒs ði ɪnˈtaɪə pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈspɛktrəm ɒv ə ˈkʌntri 
kənˈsɜːvətɪzᵊm 
ˈlɪmɪtɪŋ 
æt fɜːst 
ədˈmɪt 
ˈɪnflʊəns 
ˈwaɪzə ˈfæmɪli ˈmɛmbəz 
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈpɒzətɪv ɒn ən ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəl ænd səˈsaɪətl ˈlɛvl 
dɪsˈpaɪt ði ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌriːpɜːˈkʌʃᵊnz ɒv 
ˌpɒpjəˈleɪʃᵊn ˌdɛməˈɡræfɪks 
lɛs ˈtænʤəbᵊl ˈbɛnɪfɪts 
ˈnæʧrəli 
lɪˈʤɪtɪmɪt ˈdaʊnˌsaɪdz 
kɒˈlɛktɪvli ˈmænɪʤd baɪ 
əˈlaɪk 

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

I_________________________________________r individuals to live longer than they did i________________s. A_____________h many p_________t that a_______________________________________y, I would a_____e that the b________________________________________w these p_____________________s.

The main reason that many f________n the n______________________________________n relates to the f__________________________s. Governments and companies must both t_______________t the age of their population and p_____________y. For instance, Japan has a f______________________n that requires the government to m___________________s for better h____________e and s_______________________e. The economy more generally in Japan must o________________________________t as young people are more likely to shop, travel, and s____________y. T______________________________________________________s i__________________________________________d a______________________________y.

However, the e_________________s of an ageing population are less important than the v______e of older generations. I__________________________y, young people are more p____________e and p__________________d. Older generations typically s_________________________t that k________________________________________________c. T___________________f advice given by elders within families to young people or more b____________________________________________y. Although this c__________m can feel l__________g to younger generations a________t, most would a_______t as they get older that the i_________e of more experienced and w___________________s was g_______________________________________________________l.

In conclusion, d______________________________________f older p_____________________s, I believe that the l___________________________s for families make this a positive development. N______________y, there are l_____________________s that must be c_______________________y governments and individuals a_____e.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.rferl.org/a/oldest-population/26615160.html

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Old Age

1. Do you know a lot of older people?
2. How often do you talk with your grandparents?
3. Do you think people get happier as they get older?
4. Are people living longer in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS chart below:

In some places, old age is valued, while in other cultures youth is considered more important.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

IELTS Essay: Value of Old Age and Youth