Some old people today struggle with the use of modern technologies such as smartphones and computers. What is the cause of this? What are some possible solutions?
Sample Response
As technology continues to advance rapidly, many elderly people are finding it difficult to catch up. In my opinion, this is a result of a lack of exposure to electronic devices and instruction in how new technologies workeducation on the theory behind new technologies, both of which can be addressedwhich can both be remedied by free workshops for older people.
Firstly, it might be the case that elderly people do not need electronic devicesdo not have a need for electronic devices. Since they have lived most of their lives using older technologies, they might still continue using less advanced methodsresort to less advanced ways of doing things in order to get by. As a result, elderly people might be less exposed to gradually advancing technologyincrementally more advanced technology every year, as opposed to age groups such as Gen Z, who have grown up alongside the proliferationoutburst of new devices and the internet.
Thus, I believe that since a lack of awareness about both the purpose and ins and outs of new technology, government programs in the form of classes and workshops could be used to help familiarise old people with these technologies. This might be able to take the form of theory classes as well as hand on engagement with devices. This has been tried and tested in many countries such as the UK, and have shown great success at improving elderly technological literacy.
In conclusion, I have highlighted the reason why many older people have failed to keep up with changing technologiesmachines, and why an information campaign in the form of workshops and classes could be the solution.
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response has a clear cause-to-solution structure and uses a strong range of vocabulary to explain why older people may struggle with technology. Its main limitation is narrow development: it concentrates largely on one cause and one workshop-based response, while some grammatical slips and awkward word choices weaken clarity. The highest-priority improvement is to develop an additional distinct cause or solution with precise, error-free explanation.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response answers both questions with a clear central cause and a relevant practical solution, although the range and support of ideas are limited.
Add a distinct second cause or solution and explain specifically how it contributes to or reduces the difficulty.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay progresses logically from cause to solution, with clear paragraphing and generally effective links between ideas.
Make the transition into the solution paragraph grammatically complete so the logical connection is immediately clear.
Lexical Resource
The response demonstrates good range with expressions such as lack of exposure and technological literacy, but several choices are awkward or imprecise.
Replace unnatural phrases such as outburst of new devices and changing machines with more idiomatic, exact alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex structures are attempted frequently and meaning remains clear, but errors in clause construction, agreement, and word form recur.
Focus proofreading on complete subordinate clauses and subject-verb agreement, especially in longer sentences.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some old people today struggle with the use of modern technologies such as smartphones and computers. What is the cause of this? What are some possible solutions?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.