This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer based on a question from the IELTS Cambridge 12 book of previous practice tests.
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The recent questions from the IELTS writing task 2 exam are here, task 1 is here and the speaking questions and topics are here.
Dave
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer from Cambridge 12: Young People (by Dave)
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people.
Do the advantage of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?
The average age of the population for many nations around the world has been in decline in recent decades creating a situation where young people have become the world’s largest demographic, particularly in developing nations. Although there are decided drawbacks to this phenomenon related to expertise in the workforce, it is still a positive development because it will lead to booming economies in the coming years.
The most frequently cited drawback to having a predominately young population is the lack of skilled workers in many important industries. A great example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which has one of the youngest populations in the world. Vietnam currently has very few leaders in important areas like engineering and technology. When it came time for Ho Chi Minh city to build a subway system, there were not enough skilled engineers to accomplish the feat. They had to hire a huge number of specialists from Japan and Thailand to ensure the quality of the project. The potential engineers for this project are still in school in Vietnam or studying abroad and it may be another decade before they are ready to design and execute large, complex infrastructure. It is not uncommon for developing countries with young populations to require outside assistance for national projects to the detriment of their own workers.
Despite this drawback, the advantage of a young population is that it brings many future benefits to a country and is a key indicator of future economic prosperity. Japan famously has one of the oldest populations in the world and this has led them into a deep economic recession over the last 20 years as it becomes increasingly apparent that the nation will have to assume responsibilities related to healthcare and a dwindling workforce. Contrast this with the so-called ‘Tiger Economies’ of Southeast Asia that include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. These countries have some of the youngest populations in the world, which, coupled with a growing middle class and better education, means that they will enjoy upward economic growth for decades to come. The middle class will expand because well-educated graduates will be able to get good jobs and this middle class will become a consumer class that feeds the economy. Overall, this is why having a young population is desirable for any nation.
In conclusion, I fully believe that a younger population indicates a country is going to be successful in the future. The key element for all young populations is education and governments should focus on this in order to fully exploit the benefits of their demographics.
IELTS Examiner Sample Answer Analysis
1. The average age of the population for many nations around the world has been in decline in recent decades creating a situation where young people have become the world’s largest demographic, particularly in developing nations. 2. Although there are decided drawbacks to this phenomenon related to expertise in the workforce, it is still a positive development because it will lead to booming economies in the coming years.
1. My first sentence simply rephrases the question and topic. Write this sentence quickly as it is not that important.
2. The second sentence gives my opinion and includes the main reason why (economic benefits).
1. The most frequently cited drawback to having a predominately young population is the lack of skilled workers in many important industries. 2. A great example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which has one of the youngest populations in the world. 3. Vietnam currently has very few leaders in important areas like engineering and technology. 4. When it came time for Ho Chi Minh city to build a subway system, there were not enough skilled engineers to accomplish the feat. 5. They had to hire a huge number of specialists from Japan and Thailand to ensure the quality of the project. 6. The potential engineers for this project are still in school in Vietnam or studying abroad and it may be another decade before they are ready to design and execute large, complex infrastructure. 7. It is not uncommon for developing countries with young populations to require outside assistance for national projects to the detriment of their own workers.
1. My first sentence is a topic sentence that explains the main idea for the paragraph (lack of skilled workers in younger populations).
2. The second sentence uses the example of Vietnam (where I live!).
3. My third sentence expands on the example.
4. The fourth sentence continues the examples.
5. My fifth sentence also continues the example.
6. The sixth sentence makes the example more general by talking about other developing countries.
1. Despite this drawback, the advantage of a young population is that it brings many future benefits to a country and is a key indicator of future economic prosperity. 2. Japan famously has one of the oldest populations in the world and this has led them into a deep economic recession over the last 20 years as it becomes increasingly apparent that the nation will have to assume responsibilities related to healthcare and a dwindling workforce. 3. Contrast this with the so-called ‘Tiger Economies’ of Southeast Asia that include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. 4. These countries have some of the youngest populations in the world, which, coupled with a growing middle class and better education, means that they will enjoy upward economic growth for decades to come. 5. The middle class will expand because well-educated graduates will be able to get good jobs and this middle class will become a consumer class that feeds the economy. 6. Overall, this is why having a young population is desirable for any nation.
1. My first sentence is a topic sentence saying that having a younger population is good for the economy.
2. The second sentence gives the examples of Japan.
3. My third sentence continues the examples by contrasting with countries in Southeast Asia.
4. My fourth sentence continues the example.
5. The fifth sentence gives more detail in the example.
6. My sixth sentence is general and explains why every country should want a young population.
1. In conclusion, I fully believe that a younger population indicates a country is going to be successful in the future. 2. The key element for all young populations is education and governments should focus on this in order to full exploit the benefits of their demographics.
1. My first sentence repeats my opinion. Do this or get IELTS band 5 for task achievement!
2. The second sentence adds an extra detail that is not summary because some IELTS examiners require this for band 7+.
Sample Answer Vocabulary
What do the phrases highlighted below mean in your own words? Is there a translation in your language?
The average age of the population for many nations around the world has been in decline in recent decades creating a situation where young people have become the world’s largest demographic, particularly in developing nations. Although there are decided drawbacks to this phenomenon related to expertise in the workforce, it is still a positive development because it will lead to booming economies in the coming years.
The most frequently cited drawback to having a predominately young population is the lack of skilled workers in many important industries. A great example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which has one of the youngest populations in the world. Vietnam currently has very few leaders in important areas like engineering and technology. When it came time for Ho Chi Minh city to build a subway system, there were not enough skilled engineers to accomplish the feat. They had to hire a huge number of specialists from Japan and Thailand to ensure the quality of the project. The potential engineers for this project are still in school in Vietnam or studying abroad and it may be another decade before they are ready to design and execute large, complex infrastructure. It is not uncommon for developing countries with young populations to require outside assistance for national projects to the detriment of their own workers.
Despite this drawback, the advantage of a young population is that it brings many future benefits to a country and is a key indicator of future economic prosperity. Japan famously has one of the oldest populations in the world and this has led them into a deep economic recession over the last 20 years as it becomes increasingly apparent that the nation will have to assume responsibilities related to healthcare and a dwindling workforce. Contrast this with the so-called ‘Tiger Economies’ of Southeast Asia that include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. These countries have some of the youngest populations in the world, which, coupled with a growing middle class and better education, means that they will enjoy upward economic growth for decades to come. The middle class will expand because well-educated graduates will be able to get good jobs and this middle class will become a consumer class that feeds the economy. Overall, this is why having a young population is desirable for any nation.
In conclusion, I fully believe that a younger population indicates a country is going to be successful in the future. The key element for all young populations is education and governments should focus on this in order to fully exploit the benefits of their demographics.
Answers:
in decline: getting worse
demographic: the type of people living in a place (men, women, young, old, race, etc.)
decided drawbacks: clear disadvantages
expertise: knowledge or skill in an area
workforce: the working people in a country
booming economies: economies that are doing very well
predominately: mostly
came time for: when something is needed/desired
accomplish the feat: do/finish something
specialists: people with expertise
ensure: make sure
execute: do
not uncommon: common
outside assistance: help from other people
to the detriment of: to the disadvantage of
future benefits: will get something back later
key indicator: a signal that gives information/makes something clear
economic prosperity: the economy doing well
recession: the economy of a country shrinking slightly
increasingly apparent: more and more clear
assume responsibilities: take responsibility
dwindling workforce: number of workers getting smaller
contrast this with: compare this to
coupled with: combined with
desirable: wanted
fully exploit: take full/complete advantage of
Vocabulary Practice
The average age of the population for many nations around the world has been ____________________ in recent decades creating a situation where young people have become the world’s largest ____________________, particularly in developing nations. Although there are__________________ to this phenomenon related to __________________ in the __________________, it is still a positive development because it will lead to __________________ in the coming years.
The most frequently cited drawback to having a __________________ young population is the lack of skilled workers in many important industries. A great example of this can be seen in Vietnam, which has one of the youngest populations in the world. Vietnam currently has very few leaders in important areas like engineering and technology. When it __________________ Ho Chi Minh city to build a subway system, there were not enough skilled engineers to __________________ . They had to hire a huge number of __________________ from Japan and Thailand to __________________ the quality of the project. The potential engineers for this project are still in school in Vietnam or studying abroad and it may be another decade before they are ready to design and __________________ large, complex infrastructure. It is __________________ for developing countries with young populations to require __________________ for national projects __________________ their own workers.
Despite this drawback, the advantage of a young population is that it brings many __________________ to a country and is a __________________ of future __________________. Japan famously has one of the oldest populations in the world and this has led them into a deep economic __________________ over the last 20 years as it becomes __________________ that the nation will have to __________________ related to healthcare and a __________________. __________________ the so-called ‘Tiger Economies’ of Southeast Asia that include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore. These countries have some of the youngest populations in the world, which, __________________ a growing middle class and better education, means that they will enjoy upward economic growth for decades to come. The middle class will expand because well-educated graduates will be able to get good jobs and this middle class will become a consumer class that feeds the economy. Overall, this is why having a young population is __________________ for any nation.
In conclusion, I fully believe that a younger population indicates a country is going to be successful in the future. The key element for all young populations is education and governments should focus on this in order to __________________ the benefits of their demographics.
Links
How an Ageing Population Will Change the World
Ageing Population Animation
How is Japan Dealing with its Rapidly Ageing Population
What the Rising Youth Population Means for the World
Here are some activities you can use to improve your listening while watching the videos: Improve your Listening.
Comment below – does your country have an old or young population?
Well, where I’m living…
It’s kind of of a mix actually in …
Honestly, it’s a giant problem in …
Truth be told, we don’t really have to deal with this problem much in ….
You can see a student example with corrections here:
Hi Dave,
about the last sentence, which you said: “The second sentence adds an extra detail that is not summary because some IELTS examiners require this for band 7+”. Do you mean these details should be added newly?
Kind of – you can read about it here: https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-writing-task-2-band-7-conclusion/
i appreciate your work for us
Thank you – I appreciate your comment!
Bro you are truly LEGEND.
Thank you so much.