Scorify.uzThe question
In many countries people are living longer, and some governments want to raise the age at which people can retire. Some believe this is necessary, while others think people should be able to stop working earlier. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
What the question asks
Two views are given and you must discuss each fairly before giving your own opinion. Think about the economy and pensions on one side, and health, family life and fairness on the other, then choose a clear position.
Essay plan
- Introduction: Link longer life expectancy to the debate and mention your opinion.
- Body 1: raising the age: Fewer workers supporting more pensioners; experienced staff stay productive; many older people want to remain active.
- Body 2: keeping an earlier age: Physically demanding jobs, health problems, time for grandchildren and giving jobs to young people.
- Conclusion: State your opinion, such as a flexible age depending on the type of work.
Band 7+ sample essay
As medical care improves, populations are ageing, and several governments are considering later retirement. Supporters say it is unavoidable, whereas critics argue that workers deserve rest after decades of effort. I believe a higher age is reasonable in general, but it should not be applied in the same way to everyone.
The economic case for a later retirement age is strong. Pensions are paid mainly from the taxes of the working population, and when the number of pensioners grows faster than the number of employees, the system comes under heavy pressure. Allowing people to work for a few more years reduces this burden. Moreover, many older employees remain healthy, skilled and keen to contribute, and companies benefit from their experience.
However, those who prefer an earlier retirement have valid points. A builder or a nurse may find it extremely tiring to continue physical work at sixty-seven, and forcing them to do so could damage their health. Others wish to spend their remaining active years with grandchildren or on hobbies they never had time for. Some also argue that older workers who stay in their posts block promotion and opportunities for graduates entering the job market.
Taking these arguments into account, I think the best policy is a flexible one. The standard age could rise gradually, while people in demanding professions would be allowed to retire sooner or move to lighter duties, and those who wish to work longer would receive incentives to do so.
In summary, ageing societies need to adapt, and a later retirement age is part of the answer, provided that it respects the differences between jobs and individuals.
271 words.
Why this essay scores well
- Task Response: every part of the question is answered and the position stays consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: each paragraph has one clear idea, linked with natural connectors rather than a list of memorised phrases.
- Lexical Resource: topic vocabulary is precise and varied, without forcing rare words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with conditionals and relative clauses used accurately.
Useful vocabulary
- life expectancy — the average number of years a person lives
- ageing population — a population with a growing share of old people
- pension — regular payment to retired people
- under pressure — facing difficulty or strain
- physically demanding — requiring a lot of bodily effort
- job market — the whole situation of jobs available
- flexible policy — a rule that can be adjusted
- incentive — something that encourages action
Common mistakes on this question
- Writing about old age in general rather than about the retirement age and pensions.
- Giving an opinion only at the end with no earlier signal, which can weaken the clarity of position.
- Assuming that all old people are weak or that all jobs are equally tiring.
Study guides
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Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is this IELTS Task 2 question?
It is a discussion + opinion question. Two views are given and you must discuss each fairly before giving your own opinion. Think about the economy and pensions on one side, and health, family life and fairness on the other, then choose a clear position.
How many words should the essay be?
Write at least 250 words. Most strong answers are 260–290 words, planned in about five minutes and completed in 40 minutes.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, an explanation and an example.