Band 7 Example

Question: Who prefers travelling abroad? The young or the old?

Idea 1

Young people
Model Answer
I think young people are more likely to travel abroad. They are usually more curious and want to see new places and cultures. Many young people also travel for studying or working in other countries, or just to improve their language skills. They don't have as many family or work responsibilities, so it's easier for them to go abroad. Plus, social media makes travelling look really cool and encourages them to visit popular places.
I would say young people are generally more inclined to travel abroad. They tend to be more adventurous and eager to explore different cultures and lifestyles. A lot of young people travel for reasons like studying, working, or even just to improve their language skills. Since they usually have fewer family and work commitments, it's much easier for them to pack up and go. Also, social media plays a big role in inspiring young people to visit trendy or exotic destinations.
Grammar Analysis
1. Comparative structures: "more inclined," "more adventurous," and "fewer family and work commitments" all use comparatives to highlight differences between young and old people, which is a strong way to make comparisons in IELTS answers. 2. Infinitive of purpose: "to explore different cultures," "to improve their language skills"—using infinitives to explain reasons for travel adds clarity and variety to your sentences. 3. Present simple tense: The answer consistently uses the present simple ("young people are," "they tend to be," "social media plays") to talk about general truths and habits, which is appropriate for this kind of question. 4. Complex sentences: The use of "Since they usually have fewer family and work commitments, it's much easier for them to pack up and go" shows good control of complex sentence structures, linking cause and effect clearly.
Vocabulary
  • more inclined
  • adventurous
  • eager to explore
  • different cultures and lifestyles
  • studying
  • working
  • improve their language skills
  • fewer family and work commitments
  • pack up and go
  • social media plays a big role
  • trendy or exotic destinations

Idea 2

Older people
Model Answer
Older people also like travelling abroad, especially after they retire. They usually have more money and free time, so they can afford to go on longer trips. Some older people want to see the world while they are still healthy, or they travel to visit family members who live in other countries. They might prefer comfortable and organized tours instead of backpacking.
Older people can also be keen travellers, especially once they've retired. They often have more disposable income and plenty of free time, which makes it easier for them to take longer or more luxurious trips. Some want to tick off destinations from their bucket list while they're still in good health, and others travel to visit family members living overseas. They might prefer more comfortable, organized tours rather than the adventurous style of travel that young people often go for.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present perfect tense: "once they've retired" uses the present perfect to show a completed action with relevance to the present. 2. Comparative structures: "longer or more luxurious trips" and "more comfortable, organized tours" use comparatives to highlight preferences and differences. 3. Infinitive of purpose: "to tick off destinations" and "to visit family members" use the infinitive to explain reasons for travel. 4. Relative clause: "that young people often go for" is a defining relative clause, adding detail about the style of travel.
Vocabulary
  • keen travellers
  • disposable income
  • plenty of free time
  • luxurious trips
  • tick off destinations
  • bucket list
  • in good health
  • visit family members
  • living overseas
  • comfortable, organized tours
  • adventurous style of travel

Idea 3

It depends on the individual
Model Answer
Actually, I think it depends on the person. Some young people can't afford to travel or are too busy with their studies. On the other hand, some older people might have health problems that make travelling difficult. So, it's not just about age—personality and interests are more important.
To be honest, I think it really depends on the individual rather than just age. There are young people who can't afford to travel or are tied down by their studies, and there are older people who might have health issues that make travelling challenging. Ultimately, whether someone prefers to travel abroad comes down to their personality, interests, and personal circumstances, rather than simply how old they are.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of contrast: The phrase "rather than just age" shows a clear contrast, which is a good way to develop your answer and show flexible thinking. 2. Modal verbs: "can't afford to travel" and "might have health issues" use modal verbs (can't, might) to express possibility and ability, which is natural and appropriate in spoken English. 3. Relative clauses: "who can't afford to travel or are tied down by their studies" and "who might have health issues" are relative clauses that add detail and complexity to the answer. 4. Phrasal verbs: "tied down by their studies" and "comes down to" are good examples of natural, conversational phrasal verbs.
Vocabulary
  • depends on the individual
  • can't afford to travel
  • tied down by their studies
  • health issues
  • make travelling challenging
  • comes down to
  • personality, interests, and personal circumstances