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BAND 7.0 IELTS ESSAY SAMPLE: PROS AND CONS OF INCREASING RETIREMENT AGE - IMPACTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY

Dive into our comprehensive IELTS Band 7.0 essay sample discussing the critical topic of increasing retirement age. Explore the experienced perspective on balancing the drawbacks and benefits of this societal change. Insights include the impact on work dynamics, senior citizens' wellbeing, and societal advancement.

Writing Task

In many countries, the age of retirement has been increased in recent years. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of raising the retirement age for individuals and society. Provide your opinion and relevant examples to support your answer.

IELTS Writing Sample Essay with Band 6.0 Scoring and Feedback

Nowadays, more and more countries have been increasing the age of retirement. While there are still some drawbacks of this trend, I believe that this is a necessary move for our society. On the one hand, the rise in the age of retirement will certainly result in a rise in the average age of employees, which does in many ways impact how the work is done. The reason for this is that the older one gets, the harder it is for that person to move his or her body according to his or her will. For example, a 60-year-old bus driver won't have the reflex needed to fully control the vehicle in a dangerous situation. On the other hand, the benefit that this trend can bring about is enormous. The first point is that older will obviously have more experience compared to the young ones. Since they are more used to the work, they can have things done more efficiently. Another point is that having to work will make the elder feel better about themselves. This is due to the feeling of having things done on their own, they can pay for their own need and not put any burden on their children. For example, an elder who still has to go to work will never feel bored or left aside since they have their own work to do. With all the reasons above, I totally believe that the rise in the age of retirement is what our society need. In conclusion, though there are still some drawbacks from this trend that need to be dealt with, raising the retirement age is necessary for both the elder and our society.
Words: 280Paragraphs: 1
Submitted: 7/19/2023, 05:26 AM

Coherence And Cohesion6.0

The essay presents a logical structure with clear paragraphing and a coherent argument development. It starts with an introduction, follows with body paragraphs discussing both sides of the issue, and concludes with a summary and personal opinion. However, there are some areas where cohesion could be improved, such as smoother transitions between ideas and more consistent use of cohesive devices.

Recommendations:

  • Ensure that each paragraph has a clear central idea and that all sentences within the paragraph relate to this idea. This will help maintain coherence and make the argument easier to follow.
  • Use more varied linking words and phrases to improve the flow between sentences and ideas. For example, use phrases like 'however', 'on the contrary', or 'in addition' to connect contrasting or additional points.
  • Improve the use of referencing words such as 'this', 'these', 'such' to avoid repetition and enhance cohesion. For instance, instead of repeating 'the rise in the age of retirement', use 'this change' or 'such a policy' to refer back to the concept.

Lexical Resource6.0

The essay demonstrates a reasonably good range of vocabulary with appropriate use of words and phrases related to the topic. There is an effort to use less common lexical items such as 'reflex', 'enormous', and 'burden'. However, there are areas where word choice could be more precise and varied to enhance clarity and impact.

Recommendations:

  • Avoid repetition of simple words like 'work' by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader interest.
  • Use linking words and phrases more effectively to connect ideas, such as 'consequently', 'furthermore', and 'in contrast', to improve coherence.
  • Expand vocabulary by incorporating more varied and precise language to describe advantages and disadvantages, such as using terms like 'cognitive decline' instead of 'harder to move his or her body'.
  • Improve collocation usage, for example, use 'financial independence' instead of 'pay for their own need' to convey ideas more naturally.

Grammatical Range6.0

The essay demonstrates a reasonable range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and correct use of conjunctions. However, there are some errors in subject-verb agreement, pronoun consistency, and article usage, which occasionally affect clarity.

Recommendations:

  • Ensure subject-verb agreement is consistent, such as changing 'older will' to 'older workers will'.
  • Improve pronoun consistency by using 'they' instead of 'his or her' when referring to people in general.
  • Pay attention to article usage, such as adding 'the' before 'elder' to specify 'the elderly' or 'elderly people'.
  • Use more varied sentence structures to enhance grammatical range, such as conditional sentences or passive voice.

Task Achievement6.0

The essay addresses the task prompt by discussing both advantages and disadvantages of raising the retirement age. It provides a clear opinion, supporting it with examples and reasoning. However, the discussion lacks depth in some areas, and the examples could be more varied and detailed.

Recommendations:

  • Clarify the opinion in the conclusion by summarizing the key points discussed, ensuring it aligns with the main body of the essay.
  • Provide more detailed and varied examples to illustrate the points more effectively, such as examples from different sectors or countries.
  • Expand on the disadvantages to provide a more balanced discussion, ensuring that both sides of the argument are equally explored.
GRADED
6.0
Coherence and Cohesion:6.0
Lexical Resource:6.0
Grammatical Range:6.0
Task Achievement:6.0
Band Score:6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6
Logical structure6
Introduction & conclusion present6
Supported main points6
Accurate linking words6
Variety in linking words6

Lexical Resource6
Varied vocabulary6
Accurate spelling & word formation6

Grammatical Range6
Mix of complex & simple sentences6
Clear and correct grammar6

Task Achievement6
Complete response6
Clear & comprehensive ideas6
Relevant & specific examples6
Appropriate word count6