Plan this problem and solution essay about health with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many countries the proportion of elderly people is growing, which puts great pressure on healthcare systems.
What problems does this cause? What measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
In many countries the share of elderly people is rising steadily, which places heavy demands on healthcare systems. This essay will describe the main problems this creates and suggest some practical solutions.
The most obvious problem is financial. Older people are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions such as dementia, arthritis and heart disease, so treatment costs rise just as the number of working taxpayers who fund the system shrinks. Hospitals also face shortages of doctors, nurses and care workers, while beds and specialist units become overcrowded, leading to long waiting times for everyone. In Japan, for example, many rural clinics struggle to find staff because young people have moved to cities. Families, too, bear the strain, as relatives may have to reduce their working hours to provide unpaid care.
Several measures could ease the pressure. Governments can invest in prevention, since encouraging exercise, healthy diets and regular check-ups helps people stay independent for longer and reduces the need for expensive treatment later. Planning the workforce is equally important: training more geriatric specialists and offering fair pay and immigration routes for care workers would help fill gaps. Technology can also help, as remote monitoring devices and online consultations allow older patients to be looked after at home rather than in hospital. Finally, raising the retirement age gradually or encouraging flexible working would widen the tax base without forcing people out of work too soon.
In conclusion, population ageing creates serious financial and staffing difficulties, but these are not impossible to manage. With early investment in prevention, training and technology, societies can provide good care for their older citizens while keeping healthcare affordable.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| life expectancy | average years people live |
| elderly care | services for older people |
| strain on resources | too much demand for what exists |
| preventive medicine | stopping illness before it starts |
| pension system | payments to retired people |
| dependency ratio | share of non-workers to workers |
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