Nowadays, in many countries, young people do not communicate with older people as much as they used to.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Nowadays, in many countries, young people do not communicate with older people as much as they used to.

Young People Less Communication Older People Reasons Solutions - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Why is this happening? How could this situation be improved?

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 ยท 349 words.

There is a growing trend where younger people do not talk to older people as much as they used to. While this can be largely attributed to differences in interests, I personally believe that this problem can be effectively addressed by integrating intergenerational projects into the school curriculum.

One compelling reason why younger people show less interest in talking to older people is the difference in the activities they enjoy. Since younger and older people grew up in different generations, they often have different preferences and find it difficult to identify shared interests. For example, many young people are passionate about playing video games, whereas older people may not consider this a beneficial or meaningful activity. The consequences are not confined to a lack of shared hobbies but also extend to a communication gap, ultimately making it increasingly difficult for the two generations to understand each other's interests and perspectives. Therefore, differences in the activities enjoyed by younger and older people can be a main reason why they find it difficult to communicate with each other.

To address the problem of the communication gap between the two generations, it is imperative for schools to take decisive action by implementing intergenerational projects in the school curriculum. When younger and older people spend more time together, they can discover shared interests and activities that both generations enjoy, such as sports or reading books. By involving older people in these projects as mentors or participants, schools can create more opportunities for meaningful interaction, thereby helping both generations become more comfortable with each other. Consequently, such projects can not only strengthen relationships between younger and older people but also help them develop a better understanding of each other's perspectives. Thus, integrating intergenerational projects into the school curriculum can effectively tackle the root cause of the communication gap between generations.

In conclusion, although differences in interests can be the primary reason why younger people communicate less with older people, integrating intergenerational projects into school curricula can effectively resolve this ever-growing issue by creating opportunities for both generations to interact and understand each other better.

Examiner feedback

The essay is well-structured and clearly addresses the prompt by discussing the causes of the generational communication gap and offering a viable solution. It demonstrates consistent control over grammar, vocabulary, and cohesion, meeting the criteria for a solid Band 7.

Task Response - 7

- Fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing the cause (differences in interests) and proposing a solution (school intergenerational projects). - Presents a clear position throughout the essay. - Extends and supports main ideas well with relevant examples.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Logically organises information with a clear progression from problem analysis to proposed solutions. - Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately, such as 'For example', 'Consequently', and 'Thus'. - Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph and maintains appropriate paragraphing.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision (e.g., 'intergenerational projects', 'communication gap'). - Uses less common lexical items with awareness of style and collocation. - Spelling and word formation are accurate with negligible errors.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- Uses a variety of complex sentence forms effectively with frequent error-free sentences. - Demonstrates good overall control of grammar and punctuation throughout the essay. - Minor slips are very rare and do not hinder communication.

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