A Person Who Is Much Older Than You That You Admire

Part 3 follow-up questions

These are the discussion questions examiners asked after this cue card. Sample answers are shown where available.

1. 1. What kinds of activities do older people enjoy?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer lists activities one after another using the plain connector 'too' and 'also', ending in a short, general summary sentence about 'routine and company'.

   A lot of older people I know enjoy gardening, tai chi or morning walks, activities that are gentle but still keep them active. My grandmother in Hue looks after a small vegetable patch behind the house, almost like a daily ritual, out there every morning before it gets too hot. Card games and gathering with friends for tea are common too, which gives them a regular chance to socialise. Many older people also enjoy passing on skills or stories to younger relatives, like cooking traditional dishes. Overall, it seems to be less about intensity and more about routine and company.

   Why this band

   • GRA“My grandmother in Hue looks after a small vegetable patch behind the house, almost like a daily ritual, out there every morning before it gets too hot.” — A single sentence with an inserted comparison and a trailing participial phrase, but built mostly from simple, direct clauses. A band 7.5 answer would likely compress this further into a tighter fronted structure.
   • LR“gives them a regular chance to socialise” — A general, plain phrase. A higher band answer would likely choose a more specific word, such as 'a regular social outlet', rather than this everyday description.
   • FC“Overall, it seems to be less about intensity and more about routine and company.” — A short, generic closing sentence. A band 7 answer would more likely extend this summary with a further reflective phrase, such as adding 'a sense of purpose' to the list.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer adds the reflective phrase 'as much about connection as the activity itself', and extends the closing list with 'a sense of purpose', showing more elaboration than the flatter band 6.5 summary.

   A lot of older people I know enjoy gardening, tai chi or morning walks, activities that are gentle but still keep them active and social. My grandmother in Hue tends a small vegetable patch behind the house and treats it almost like a daily ritual, out there every morning before the heat sets in. Card games and gathering with friends for tea are common too, giving them a regular social outlet. Many older people also enjoy passing on skills or stories to younger relatives, like cooking traditional dishes, which is as much about connection as the activity itself. Overall, it seems to be less about intensity and more about routine, company and a sense of purpose.

   Why this band

   • LR“giving them a regular social outlet” — A more precise, natural collocation than the plainer 'gives them a regular chance to socialise' phrasing at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to a more careful register.
   • GRA“like cooking traditional dishes, which is as much about connection as the activity itself” — A 'which' clause with a balanced 'as much...as' comparison is added onto the main point, a more complex structure than the simple listing a band 6.5 answer used for the same idea.
   • FC“Overall, it seems to be less about intensity and more about routine, company and a sense of purpose.” — The closing summary adds a third element, 'a sense of purpose', extending the reflection slightly further than the two-part summary a band 6.5 answer gave for the same idea.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'gravitate towards' and the idiomatic 'almost religiously', giving more precise, image-based vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 phrasing throughout.

   A lot of older people I know gravitate towards gardening, tai chi or morning walks, gentle activities that still keep them active and socially engaged. My grandmother in Hue tends a small vegetable patch behind the house almost religiously, out there every morning before the heat sets in. Card games and tea with friends are common too, offering a reliable social outlet that doesn't depend on much energy. Many older people also enjoy passing on skills or stories to younger relatives, cooking traditional dishes being a favourite, which is as much about connection as the activity itself. Overall, it seems to be less about intensity and more about routine, company and a quiet sense of purpose.

   Why this band

   • LR“gravitate towards gardening, tai chi or morning walks” — A vivid, less-common verb choice ('gravitate towards') replacing the plainer 'enjoy gardening, tai chi or morning walks' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise vocabulary expected at 7.5.
   • GRA“cooking traditional dishes being a favourite, which is as much about connection as the activity itself” — A participial phrase ('cooking...being a favourite') is inserted as an aside rather than introduced with 'like', a more compact and flexible construction than the equivalent phrase at band 7.0.
   • FC“a quiet sense of purpose” — The added adjective 'quiet' gives the closing summary a more precise, evaluative finish than the plainer 'a sense of purpose' ending used at band 7.0.

2. 2. Is life better for older people now than it was in the past?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'in some ways, yes' opinion with two contrasting sides, using the plain connectors 'also' and 'on the other hand' once each.

   In some ways, yes - healthcare has improved, so people live longer, healthier lives than earlier generations did. Technology has also made staying connected with family much easier - my grandmother video calls my sister in Ho Chi Minh City over Zalo almost every week now, which just wasn't possible when she was young. On the other hand, some things have become harder - living costs have risen, and living with extended family is less common now, which can leave older people more isolated. So overall, material and medical life has improved, but the social side is more mixed.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Technology has also made staying connected with family much easier - my grandmother video calls my sister in Ho Chi Minh City over Zalo almost every week now, which just wasn't possible when she was young.” — A main claim followed by an example and a 'which' clause, joined in one long sentence with fairly simple connectors throughout. A band 7 answer would more likely tighten this into a shorter, punchier sentence.
   • LR“living with extended family is less common now” — A plain, functional description. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific term, such as 'multigenerational households', instead of this general phrase.
   • FC“So overall, material and medical life has improved, but the social side is more mixed.” — A short, flat closing sentence stating the conclusion directly. A 7.5 answer would more likely phrase this balance with more precise, less-common vocabulary.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'living with extended family' to the precise term 'multigenerational households', and adds the reflective hedge 'I'd say' to the closing conclusion, showing more careful phrasing than band 6.5.

   In some ways, definitely - healthcare has improved dramatically, so people live longer and generally healthier lives than previous generations did. Technology has also made staying connected with family much easier; my grandmother video calls my sister in Ho Chi Minh City over Zalo almost weekly now, which simply wasn't possible when she was younger. On the other hand, some things have arguably gotten harder - the cost of living has risen, and traditional multigenerational households are less common now, which can leave some older people more isolated than they might have been decades ago. So overall, I'd say material and medical conditions have improved, but social conditions are a more mixed picture.

   Why this band

   • LR“traditional multigenerational households are less common now” — A more precise, formal collocation than the plainer 'living with extended family is less common now' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate, topic-specific word choice.
   • GRA“Technology has also made staying connected with family much easier; my grandmother video calls my sister in Ho Chi Minh City over Zalo almost weekly now, which simply wasn't possible when she was younger.” — A semicolon links the general claim to the specific example smoothly within one sentence, a more sophisticated construction than the dash-led sentence a band 6.5 answer used for the same content.
   • FC“So overall, I'd say material and medical conditions have improved, but social conditions are a more mixed picture” — The hedge 'I'd say' softens the closing conclusion, giving it a more considered, reflective tone than the flatter closing statement at band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'transformed' and the compact fronted phrase 'something simply unimaginable', giving more precise, idiomatic vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 wording.

   In some ways, definitely - healthcare has improved dramatically, so people now live longer, generally healthier lives than previous generations managed. Technology has also transformed staying connected with family; my grandmother video calls my sister in Ho Chi Minh City over Zalo almost weekly now, something simply unimaginable when she was younger. On the other hand, some things have arguably grown harder - the cost of living has climbed, and traditional multigenerational households are increasingly rare, leaving some older people more isolated than they might once have been. So overall, material and medical conditions have clearly improved, while the social picture is considerably more mixed.

   Why this band

   • LR“Technology has also transformed staying connected with family” — A more vivid, precise verb choice ('transformed') than the plainer 'made staying connected with family much easier' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“something simply unimaginable when she was younger” — A compact noun-phrase fragment appended after a comma instead of a full 'which' relative clause, a more flexible, economical construction than the equivalent clause at band 7.0.
   • FC“while the social picture is considerably more mixed” — The closing contrast uses 'while' to fold the concession into the same sentence as the main claim, giving a more compact, polished finish than the separate 'but' clause used at band 7.0.

3. 3. Do older people only remember good things about the past?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'not entirely' opinion, one example, and one explanation, using the plain connector 'but' once and everyday vocabulary like 'the hard parts' and 'talked about less'.

   Not entirely, though there's a tendency towards that, sometimes called nostalgia. My grandmother talks fondly about her younger years in Hue, but she's also quite direct about the hard parts, like not having enough medicine or how much harder farm work was without modern equipment. I think what happens is that happy memories, especially ones tied to family, get told more often, making the past seem better than it was. Difficult memories aren't necessarily forgotten, just talked about less in everyday conversation. So it's more about which memories get shared than which ones are actually remembered.

   Why this band

   • GRA“My grandmother talks fondly about her younger years in Hue, but she's also quite direct about the hard parts, like not having enough medicine or how much harder farm work was without modern equipment.” — Two ideas joined only with 'but', a basic coordination pattern for a fairly long sentence. A band 7 answer would more likely divide this into a cleaner main clause plus a separate elaboration.
   • LR“the hard parts” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific or formal word, such as 'hardships', to describe the same experiences.
   • FC“So it's more about which memories get shared than which ones are actually remembered.” — A flat closing sentence stating the conclusion directly. A 7.5 answer would more likely phrase this distinction more compactly, such as contrasting 'retelling' with 'remembering' directly.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'the hard parts' to the more precise 'hardships', and introduces the formal term 'nostalgia bias', giving sharper, more topic-specific vocabulary than band 6.5.

   Not entirely, though there is a tendency towards that, often called nostalgia bias. My grandmother certainly talks fondly about her younger years in Hue, but she's also quite direct about the hardships back then, like limited access to medicine or how much harder farm work was without modern equipment. I think what happens is that emotionally significant memories, especially positive ones tied to family or milestones, tend to stay clearer and get retold more often, which creates an impression of a rosier past than what was actually lived. Difficult memories aren't necessarily forgotten, just less frequently shared in casual conversation. So it's more selective retelling than genuine selective memory, I'd say.

   Why this band

   • LR“often called nostalgia bias” — A precise, formal term that names the psychological pattern directly, more specific than the vaguer 'a tendency towards that' phrasing used at band 6.5.
   • GRA“emotionally significant memories, especially positive ones tied to family or milestones, tend to stay clearer and get retold more often, which creates an impression of a rosier past than what was actually lived” — A long sentence with an inserted appositive phrase and a 'which' clause explaining the effect, more layered than the shorter, simpler explanation a band 6.5 answer gave for the same idea.
   • FC“So it's more selective retelling than genuine selective memory, I'd say” — The hedge 'I'd say' softens the closing distinction and the phrase 'selective retelling...selective memory' plays on the repeated word for effect, a more polished, reflective close than the flatter band 6.5 conclusion.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the compact appositive 'limited access to medicine, farm work without modern equipment, that sort of thing' and the vivid verb 'aired', showing more compressed, idiomatic phrasing than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Not entirely, though there's a pull in that direction, often labelled nostalgia bias. My grandmother certainly speaks fondly of her younger years in Hue, but she's just as direct about the hardships back then, limited access to medicine, farm work without modern equipment, that sort of thing. What seems to happen is that emotionally charged memories, positive ones tied to family or milestones especially, stay vivid and get retold more often, leaving an impression of a rosier past than what was actually lived. Difficult memories aren't necessarily lost, just aired less in casual conversation. So it's really selective retelling rather than selective memory.

   Why this band

   • GRA“limited access to medicine, farm work without modern equipment, that sort of thing” — A string of appositive noun phrases capped with the idiomatic tag 'that sort of thing', replacing the fuller 'like limited access to medicine or how much harder farm work was' construction at band 7.0, a more compact and flexible structure.
   • LR“just aired less in casual conversation” — A more vivid, less-common verb choice ('aired') than the plainer 'less frequently shared' phrasing used at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • FC“it's really selective retelling rather than selective memory” — A tighter, more confident version of the band 7.0 closing line, dropping the hedge 'I'd say' for a more compact, declarative finish.

4. 4. What can younger and older people learn from each other?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives two clear points, one for each generation, using the plain connector 'meanwhile' once and simple vocabulary like 'fresh ideas' and 'nothing left to learn'.

   Older people generally offer perspective - a sense of what matters, built from having gone through problems younger people are still facing for the first time. My grandmother's calm reaction to problems, compared to how anxious I get over fairly small things, has genuinely rubbed off on me a little over the years. Younger people, meanwhile, tend to bring fresh ideas and comfort with new technology, which I see at work, where junior designers often introduce tools that the more senior staff haven't seen yet. The exchange works best when neither side assumes they have nothing left to learn.

   Why this band

   • GRA“My grandmother's calm reaction to problems, compared to how anxious I get over fairly small things, has genuinely rubbed off on me a little over the years.” — A single sentence with an inserted comparison, but built around a fairly plain main clause. A band 7 answer would likely reposition this comparison for a smoother, less choppy flow.
   • LR“fresh ideas” — A common, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely pair this with a more specific or vivid collocation instead of the plain 'fresh ideas'.
   • FC“The exchange works best when neither side assumes they have nothing left to learn.” — A short, direct closing sentence. A 7.5 answer would more likely phrase this same idea more compactly, perhaps contrasting the two generations directly rather than stating a general rule.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer extends the closing sentence with the reflective addition 'which isn't always the case in practice', giving a bit more nuance than the flatter, more absolute band 6.5 ending.

   Older people generally offer perspective - a sense of what actually matters in the long run, built from having already been through setbacks that younger people are still facing for the first time. My grandmother's calm reaction to problems, compared to how anxious I get over relatively small things, has genuinely rubbed off on me a little over the years. Younger people, meanwhile, tend to bring fresh ideas and comfort with new technology, which I see constantly at work, where junior designers often introduce tools or trends that the more senior staff hadn't come across yet. The exchange works best when neither side assumes they have nothing left to learn, which isn't always the case in practice.

   Why this band

   • LR“a sense of what actually matters in the long run” — A more precise, natural phrase than the plainer 'a sense of what actually matters' used at band 6.5, adding the qualifying 'in the long run' for extra precision.
   • GRA“where junior designers often introduce tools or trends that the more senior staff hadn't come across yet” — A 'where' relative clause with an embedded 'that' clause, layering two levels of subordination, more grammatical range than the simpler relative clause used at band 6.5.
   • FC“which isn't always the case in practice” — A reflective qualifying clause added to the closing statement, softening its generality, a small nuance typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer would more likely leave out.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'weathered' and the compact closing 'isn't always a given', showing more precise, idiomatic phrasing than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Older people generally offer perspective, a sense of what actually matters over the long run, earned by having already weathered setbacks younger people are only now meeting for the first time. My grandmother's calm under pressure, set against how anxious I get over fairly small things, has genuinely rubbed off on me over the years. Younger people, meanwhile, bring fresh ideas and an ease with new technology, something I see constantly at work, where junior designers routinely introduce tools or trends the more senior staff hadn't come across yet. The exchange works best when neither side assumes it has nothing left to learn, which, in practice, isn't always a given.

   Why this band

   • LR“earned by having already weathered setbacks” — A vivid, less-common verb choice ('weathered') replacing the plainer 'built from having already been through setbacks' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“My grandmother's calm under pressure, set against how anxious I get over fairly small things, has genuinely rubbed off on me over the years” — The comparison is introduced with the compact 'set against' instead of the fuller 'compared to' phrase at band 7.0, a slightly more idiomatic and economical way of framing the contrast.
   • FC“which, in practice, isn't always a given” — The phrase 'isn't always a given' offers a more idiomatic, compact close than the plainer 'isn't always the case in practice' ending used at band 7.0.

5. 5. What may cause a lack of understanding between older and younger people?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives one main cause plus two extra points using the plain connectors 'as well' and 'too', ending with a short conclusion about 'not sharing the same context'.

   Differences in life experience are the main cause - older people grew up with economic conditions, technology and social norms, so their reactions can be hard to relate to. Communication styles are different as well; my grandmother prefers a phone call or a visit in person, while I usually just send a quick Zalo message, and that difference alone can create a feeling of distance even when both sides care. Technology gaps make this worse too, since older people are sometimes left out of online conversations. So most of the friction probably comes from not sharing the same context.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Communication styles are different as well; my grandmother prefers a phone call or a visit in person, while I usually just send a quick Zalo message, and that difference alone can create a feeling of distance even when both sides care.” — A semicolon links a claim to an example, followed by 'while' and 'and', a fairly long chain of simple connectors. A band 7 answer would likely tighten this into a more varied, less list-like structure.
   • LR“make this worse too” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely choose a more specific verb, such as 'widen', paired with a more precise noun, instead of the vague 'make this worse'.
   • FC“So most of the friction probably comes from not sharing the same context.” — A short, flat closing sentence stating the conclusion directly. A 7.5 answer would more likely contrast this cause with a rejected alternative explanation for a sharper final point.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'make this worse' to the more precise 'widen this further', and closes with a sharper contrast ('rather than any real difference in values'), showing more developed reasoning than band 6.5.

   Differences in life experience are probably the root cause - older people grew up with different economic conditions, technology and social norms, so their instinctive reactions to situations can be genuinely hard for younger people to relate to, and vice versa. Communication styles differ too; my grandmother prefers a phone call or an in-person visit, while I default to a quick Zalo message, and that mismatch alone can create a feeling of distance even when both sides care equally. Media and technology gaps widen this further, since older people are sometimes left out of conversations happening mostly online. I think most of the friction comes from lack of shared context rather than any real difference in values underneath.

   Why this band

   • LR“widen this further” — A more precise, natural verb choice than the plainer 'make this worse too' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to the more formal register of band 7.0.
   • GRA“I think most of the friction comes from lack of shared context rather than any real difference in values underneath” — A 'rather than' clause contrasts two possible explanations within one sentence, a more developed structure than the simple closing statement a band 6.5 answer gave for the same conclusion.
   • FC“and that mismatch alone can create a feeling of distance even when both sides care equally” — The phrase 'even when both sides care equally' adds a reflective qualification to the point, a small elaborative touch typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer would more likely leave out.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verbs 'diverge' and 'breed', and the fronted closing 'Most of the friction, I'd argue, comes from...', showing more idiomatic vocabulary and flexible grammar than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Differences in life experience are probably the root cause - older people grew up under different economic conditions, technology and social norms, so their instinctive reactions can be genuinely hard for younger people to relate to, and vice versa. Communication styles diverge too; my grandmother prefers a phone call or an in-person visit, while I default to a quick Zalo message, and that mismatch alone can breed a sense of distance even when both sides care equally. Media and technology gaps widen this further still, since older people are sometimes shut out of conversations happening mostly online. Most of the friction, I'd argue, comes from a lack of shared context rather than any real difference in values underneath.

   Why this band

   • LR“that mismatch alone can breed a sense of distance” — A vivid, less-common verb choice ('breed') replacing the plainer 'create a feeling of distance' phrasing used at band 7.0, exactly the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“Most of the friction, I'd argue, comes from a lack of shared context rather than any real difference in values underneath” — The evaluative phrase 'I'd argue' is inserted mid-clause between subject and verb, a more flexible position than the sentence-initial 'I think' construction used at band 7.0.
   • FC“Communication styles diverge too” — The more precise verb 'diverge' replaces the plainer 'differ too' phrasing at band 7.0, giving the sentence a slightly sharper, more deliberate opening.

6. 6. Do younger people have more respect for older people now than in the past?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'slightly less' opinion with one main reason and one contrast, using the plain connector 'that said' once and simple vocabulary like 'become less common' and 'shown differently'.

   Honestly, I'd say slightly less, at least in everyday behaviour, though I don't think it's because of real disrespect. Life has just become busier and more focused on the individual, so habits like asking elders before big decisions or visiting regularly have become less common, especially among people who've moved to cities for work, like I have. That said, respect hasn't disappeared, it's just shown differently - helping parents with money, checking in by video call, instead of living under the same roof. So it might look like less respect on the surface, but I don't think that's true.

   Why this band

   • FC“Honestly, I'd say slightly less, at least in everyday behaviour, though I don't think it's because of real disrespect.” — A direct opinion stated plainly with one 'though' qualifier attached. A band 7 answer would more likely develop this same qualification across two connected clauses instead of one long single sentence.
   • GRA“Life has just become busier and more focused on the individual, so habits like asking elders before big decisions or visiting regularly have become less common, especially among people who've moved to cities for work, like I have.” — A long sentence built mainly with 'so' and commas, a fairly basic way of stacking cause, effect and example. A band 7 answer would likely separate this into more clearly linked, varied clauses.
   • LR“it's just shown differently” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more precise word, such as 'expressed', instead of the everyday verb 'shown'.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'shown differently' to the more precise 'expressed differently', and closes with a sharper contrast between 'form' and 'feeling', giving a more developed conclusion than band 6.5.

   Honestly, I'd say slightly less, at least in terms of everyday behaviour, though I don't think it's due to genuine disrespect. Life has just gotten busier and more individually focused, so the traditional habits of consulting elders on major decisions or visiting regularly have loosened somewhat, especially among people who've moved to cities for work, like I have. That said, respect hasn't disappeared, it's just expressed differently - through things like helping parents financially or checking in over video call rather than living under the same roof as before. So it might look like less respect on the surface, but I think it's more a change in form than a genuine decline in feeling.

   Why this band

   • LR“the traditional habits of consulting elders on major decisions or visiting regularly have loosened somewhat” — A more precise, natural collocation ('loosened somewhat') than the plainer 'have become less common' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice.
   • GRA“So it might look like less respect on the surface, but I think it's more a change in form than a genuine decline in feeling.” — A balanced 'more X than Y' contrast closes the sentence, a more developed structure than the simpler final clause a band 6.5 answer used for the same conclusion.
   • FC“respect hasn't disappeared, it's just expressed differently” — The reflective reframing 'it's just expressed differently' softens the earlier claim, a small nuance typical of band 7.0 that a band 6.5 answer expresses in plainer, more direct terms.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'migrated' and closes with the compact 'I'd call it', giving more precise, idiomatic phrasing than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   Honestly, I'd say slightly less, at least in everyday behaviour, though I doubt it stems from genuine disrespect. Life has simply gotten busier and more individually focused, so the old habits of consulting elders on major decisions or visiting regularly have loosened, especially among people who've moved to cities for work, as I have. That said, respect hasn't vanished, it's just migrated into different forms - helping parents financially, checking in over video call rather than living under the same roof as before. So it might look like less respect on the surface, but I'd call it a change in form rather than any genuine decline in feeling.

   Why this band

   • LR“it's just migrated into different forms” — A vivid, less-common verb choice ('migrated') replacing the plainer 'expressed differently' phrasing used at band 7.0, exactly the kind of distinctive collocation expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“helping parents financially, checking in over video call rather than living under the same roof as before” — A verbless list of examples stands in for the main clause, dropped in after the dash instead of the fuller 'through things like' construction at band 7.0, a more compact and flexible structure.
   • FC“I'd call it a change in form rather than any genuine decline in feeling” — The verb 'call' frames the closing judgement as a personal, confident label rather than the hedged 'I think it's more a change in form' phrasing at band 7.0, giving a more polished, deliberate finish.

7. 7. Does the media focus too little on the older generation?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'yes' opinion with one main reason and one personal industry example, using the plain connector 'too' once and simple vocabulary like 'narrow, stereotyped ways'.

   I think so, yes. Most advertising, entertainment and even news tend to focus on younger audiences, since that's who advertisers usually want to reach, and older people often end up underrepresented or shown in fairly narrow, stereotyped ways when they do appear. This happens in my industry too - when we design app interfaces, the target user is almost assumed to be young and tech-comfortable, unless a client asks us to think about older users, which doesn't happen often. Given how large the older population is becoming in many countries, I think there's a real gap between representation and reality.

   Why this band

   • GRA“Most advertising, entertainment and even news tend to focus on younger audiences, since that's who advertisers usually want to reach, and older people often end up underrepresented or shown in fairly narrow, stereotyped ways when they do appear.” — A long sentence with 'since' and 'and' joining several ideas, a fairly basic way of stacking cause and effect. A band 7 answer would more likely split this into two more clearly linked sentences.
   • LR“narrow, stereotyped ways” — A plain, functional description. A higher band answer would likely reach for a more specific or vivid phrase to describe the same limited portrayal.
   • FC“Given how large the older population is becoming in many countries, I think there's a real gap between representation and reality.” — A flat closing sentence stating the conclusion directly. A 7.5 answer would more likely phrase this final point more compactly and with a more precise contrast.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer names the issue precisely with 'a bit of a blind spot in my own industry', and upgrades 'reality' to the more specific 'actual demographics', showing sharper, more deliberate vocabulary than band 6.5.

   I think so, yes. Most advertising, entertainment and even news coverage tends to centre on younger audiences, since that's who advertisers are usually trying to reach, and older people end up underrepresented or shown in fairly narrow, stereotypical ways when they do appear. This is a bit of a blind spot in my own industry too - when we design app interfaces, the target user is almost always assumed to be young and tech-comfortable unless a client specifically asks us to consider older users, which happens less often than it probably should. Given how large the older population is becoming in many countries, I think there's a real gap between representation and actual demographics.

   Why this band

   • LR“a bit of a blind spot in my own industry too” — A more precise, idiomatic collocation than the plainer 'This happens in my own industry too' phrasing used at band 6.5, naming the problem more specifically.
   • GRA“unless a client specifically asks us to consider older users, which happens less often than it probably should” — A conditional 'unless' clause followed by a 'which' clause commenting on frequency, a more layered structure than the simpler relative clause a band 6.5 answer used for the same point.
   • FC“I think there's a real gap between representation and actual demographics” — The more precise closing phrase 'actual demographics' sharpens the comparison compared to the vaguer 'representation and reality' contrast used at band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid verb 'reduced to' and the compact closing 'that's only likely to widen', giving more precise, idiomatic vocabulary than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   I think so, yes. Most advertising, entertainment and even news coverage tends to centre on younger audiences, since that's who advertisers are chiefly trying to reach, and older people end up underrepresented or reduced to fairly narrow, stereotypical portrayals when they appear at all. It's a bit of a blind spot in my own industry too - when we design app interfaces, the target user is almost always assumed to be young and tech-comfortable unless a client specifically asks us to factor in older users, which happens less often than it probably should. Given how large the older population is becoming in many countries, there's a real gap between representation and actual demographics that's only likely to widen.

   Why this band

   • LR“older people end up underrepresented or reduced to fairly narrow, stereotypical portrayals” — A more vivid, less-common verb phrase ('reduced to') than the plainer 'shown in fairly narrow, stereotypical ways' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of precise vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“when they appear at all” — A compact concessive fragment tacked onto the end of the clause, a more idiomatic, economical alternative to the fuller 'when they do appear' phrase used at band 7.0.
   • FC“a real gap between representation and actual demographics that's only likely to widen” — A relative clause added to the closing point projects the trend forward, giving a more finished, deliberate conclusion than the plainer closing statement used at band 7.0.

8. 8. Should there be no fixed retirement age?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer gives a direct 'lean towards flexibility' opinion with one supporting example and one qualifying point, using the plain connector 'that said' once and simple vocabulary like 'doesn't consider' and 'less rigid'.

   I lean more towards flexibility than having no fixed age at all. People age differently - some are still sharp and capable well into their seventies, like my grandmother, while others may want or need to stop working earlier for health reasons. A more flexible system, where people can choose to keep working or retire within a reasonable range, seems fairer than a strict cutoff that doesn't consider individual differences. That said, some structure is probably still useful for things like pension planning, so I wouldn't remove the idea of a retirement age completely, just make it less rigid.

   Why this band

   • GRA“A more flexible system, where people can choose to keep working or retire within a reasonable range, seems fairer than a strict cutoff that doesn't consider individual differences.” — A single long sentence with one inserted 'where' clause and one 'that' clause, built mostly from straightforward comparative structure. A band 7.5 answer would likely compress this into a tighter construction.
   • LR“doesn't consider individual differences” — A plain, general verb phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific or formal word, such as 'account for', instead of the everyday 'consider'.
   • FC“That said, some structure is probably still useful for things like pension planning, so I wouldn't remove the idea of a retirement age completely, just make it less rigid.” — A long closing sentence joined with 'so', stating the balanced conclusion plainly. A 7.5 answer would likely compress this final point into a shorter, more confident structure.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'doesn't consider' to the more formal 'doesn't account for', and adds the extra detail 'workforce succession', giving a more developed, precise argument than band 6.5.

   I lean towards more flexibility rather than no fixed age at all. People age differently - some are still sharp and capable well into their seventies, like my grandmother, while others may want or need to stop working earlier for health reasons. A completely flexible system, where people can choose to keep working or retire within a reasonable range, seems fairer than a strict cutoff that doesn't account for individual differences. That said, some structure is probably still useful for pension planning and workforce succession, so I wouldn't remove the concept of retirement age entirely, just make it less rigid, with genuine options rather than a single mandatory point for everyone.

   Why this band

   • LR“doesn't account for individual differences” — A more precise, formal collocation than the plainer 'doesn't consider individual differences' phrasing used at band 6.5, showing deliberate word choice appropriate to a policy discussion.
   • GRA“with genuine options rather than a single mandatory point for everyone” — A 'rather than' phrase is added at the very end of the sentence to sharpen the contrast, a more developed closing structure than the simpler final clause a band 6.5 answer used for the same conclusion.
   • FC“some structure is probably still useful for pension planning and workforce succession” — The added detail 'workforce succession' extends the reasoning beyond the single point made at band 6.5, a small elaborative touch typical of band 7.0.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the idiomatic 'a strict cutoff blind to individual differences' and 'earns its keep', giving more vivid, image-based vocabulary than the plainer band 7.0 phrasing.

   I lean towards flexibility over abolishing a fixed age altogether. People age at very different rates - some stay sharp and capable well into their seventies, my grandmother among them, while others need or want to stop working earlier for health reasons. A genuinely flexible system, letting people choose to keep working or retire within a reasonable range, seems fairer than a strict cutoff blind to individual differences. That said, some structure still earns its keep for pension planning and workforce succession, so I wouldn't scrap the concept of retirement age entirely, just loosen it, with real options rather than one mandatory point for everyone.

   Why this band

   • LR“a strict cutoff blind to individual differences” — A vivid, personifying phrase ('blind to') replacing the plainer 'a strict cutoff that doesn't account for individual differences' construction at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“letting people choose to keep working or retire within a reasonable range” — A participial phrase ('letting people choose...') replaces the fuller 'where people can choose to' relative clause used at band 7.0, a more compact and flexible construction.
   • FC“some structure still earns its keep for pension planning and workforce succession” — The idiomatic phrase 'earns its keep' gives the concession a more vivid, deliberate feel than the plainer 'is probably still useful' phrasing used at band 7.0.

9. 9. What impact might having a large number of older people have on a country?

   Sep–Dec 2026
   Compare Band 6.5 / 7.0 / 7.5 for this question

   Band 6.5

   The 6.5 answer lists negative and positive impacts using the plain connectors 'also' and 'on the positive side, though', with simple vocabulary like 'doesn't have to be wasted' and 'rethink things like'.

   It puts pressure on healthcare systems and pension funds, since a smaller working-age population has to support a larger group of retirees, which is already a concern in some countries with ageing populations. Labour shortages could become more common, especially in physically demanding jobs. On the positive side, though, older populations bring a lot of accumulated skill and experience that doesn't have to be wasted if companies get better at offering flexible, part-time roles instead of full retirement. Countries may also need to rethink things like urban design and healthcare access to properly support a much older population going forward.

   Why this band

   • GRA“It puts pressure on healthcare systems and pension funds, since a smaller working-age population has to support a larger group of retirees, which is already a concern in some countries with ageing populations.” — A main clause with a 'since' clause and a 'which' clause chained together, a fairly basic way of adding detail one piece at a time. A band 7 answer would likely tighten this into a shorter, more varied structure.
   • LR“doesn't have to be wasted” — A plain, general phrase. A higher band answer would likely use a more specific or formal word, such as 'squandered', instead of the everyday 'wasted'.
   • FC“Countries may also need to rethink things like urban design and healthcare access to properly support a much older population going forward.” — A flat closing sentence adding one more point with 'also'. A 7.5 answer would more likely close by treating this shift as a bigger structural theme rather than one more item in a list.

   Band 7.0

   The 7.0 answer upgrades 'wasted' to the more precise 'go to waste', and extends the closing list with 'family structures' plus a reflective contrast ('rather than treating it as a temporary adjustment'), giving a more developed ending than band 6.5.

   It puts pressure on healthcare systems and pension funds, since a smaller working-age population has to support a larger group of retirees, which is already a concern in some countries with ageing populations. Labour shortages could become more common too, particularly in physically demanding jobs. On the positive side, though, older populations bring a lot of accumulated skill and experience that doesn't have to go to waste if companies get better at offering flexible, part-time roles instead of full retirement. Countries may also need to rethink urban design, healthcare access and even family structures to properly support a much older average population going forward, rather than treating it as a temporary adjustment.

   Why this band

   • LR“doesn't have to go to waste” — A more natural, idiomatic collocation than the plainer 'doesn't have to be wasted' phrasing used at band 6.5, though not yet as vivid as the wording a 7.5 answer would choose.
   • GRA“Countries may also need to rethink urban design, healthcare access and even family structures to properly support a much older average population going forward, rather than treating it as a temporary adjustment.” — A list of three items extended with 'even', followed by a 'rather than' contrast at the very end, a more developed sentence than the shorter, flatter closing sentence a band 6.5 answer used for the same idea.
   • FC“On the positive side, though, older populations bring a lot of accumulated skill and experience” — The connector 'though' signals a natural pivot in the argument, giving a slightly more conversational, considered tone than the plainer 'On the positive side' phrasing alone at band 6.5.

   Band 7.5

   The 7.5 answer uses the vivid phrase 'a wealth of accumulated skill' and closes with the idiomatic 'the new normal', showing more precise, image-based vocabulary than the fuller band 7.0 sentences.

   It puts real pressure on healthcare systems and pension funds, since a shrinking working-age population has to support a growing body of retirees, already a live concern in several ageing countries. Labour shortages could become more common too, particularly in physically demanding trades. On the positive side, though, older populations carry a wealth of accumulated skill and experience that needn't go to waste if companies get better at offering flexible, part-time roles rather than full retirement. Countries will likely need to rethink urban design, healthcare access and even family structures too, treating an older population as the new normal rather than a temporary adjustment.

   Why this band

   • LR“older populations carry a wealth of accumulated skill and experience” — A more vivid, idiomatic collocation ('a wealth of') than the plainer 'bring a lot of accumulated skill and experience' phrasing at band 7.0, showing the kind of distinctive vocabulary expected at band 7.5.
   • GRA“a shrinking working-age population has to support a growing body of retirees, already a live concern in several ageing countries” — A compact appositive noun phrase, 'already a live concern in several ageing countries', replaces the fuller 'which is already a concern in some countries' relative clause at band 7.0, a more economical construction.
   • FC“treating an older population as the new normal rather than a temporary adjustment” — The idiomatic phrase 'the new normal' gives the closing reflection a sharper, more contemporary finish than the plainer equivalent phrase used at band 7.0.