If the older people are not physically, mentally, or financially able to look after themselves, the younger family members have legal responsibilities to take care of them.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. If the older people are not physically, mentally, or financially able to look after themselves, the younger family members have legal responsibilities to take care of them.

Younger Family Members Legal Responsibility Support Elderly - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Do you agree or disagree?

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 8 · 325 words.

I personally agree with the statement that younger family members should have a legal responsibility to care for older relatives who cannot look after themselves. While family support is a vital social safety net, making it a legal obligation can be complex and may not always be the most effective solution.

On the one hand, there are strong cultural and moral arguments for family responsibility. In many societies, caring for elders is seen as a fundamental duty rooted in respect and gratitude. For example, in some Asian cultures, multi‑generational households are common, and adult routinely provide care for their ageing parents. Legally enforcing this duty could ensure that vulnerable elderly people are not abandoned, especially in cases where they lack financial resources or cognitive capacity to manage their own affairs. It could also reduce the burden on public social services, which are often overstretched.

On the other hand, imposing a legal obligation on family members raises practical and ethical concerns. Not all younger relatives are financially or emotionally capable of providing adequate care. For instance, a young adult struggling with their own health issues, low income, or caregiving responsibilities for their own children might be unable to meet such a legal requirement without significant personal hardship. Moreover, legal enforcement could strain family relationships, potentially leading to resentment or conflict. In many developed countries, the role of elder care is increasingly seen as a shared responsibility between the family and the state, with governments providing pensions, healthcare, and subsidised residential care to support older citizens.

In my view, while moral and cultural expectations should encourage family support, elder care should primarily be a societal responsibility supported by robust public services. Legal obligations for family members could be considered as a last resort in specific cases, but they should not replace the need for comprehensive government‑funded care systems. This balanced approach ensures that older people receive the support they need without placing undue burden on individual families.

Examiner feedback

The essay thoroughly addresses the prompt with a well-developed, balanced position regarding legal responsibilities for elder care. It demonstrates logical paragraphing, sophisticated vocabulary, and a high level of grammatical accuracy with only minor slips.

Task Response - 8

- Sufficiently addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response. - Presents a clear, nuanced position acknowledging both moral and practical complexities. - Ideas are relevant, extended, and supported with appropriate examples.

Coherence & Cohesion - 8

- Sequences information and ideas logically with clear progression. - Manages all aspects of cohesion well without intrusive devices. - Uses paragraphing sufficiently and appropriately with clear central topics.

Lexical Resource - 8

- Uses a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings. - Skilfully uses uncommon lexical items with appropriate style and collocation. - Produces rare errors such as singular/plural slips.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 8

- Uses a wide range of complex structures with high accuracy. - The majority of sentences are error-free. - Demonstrates strong control of grammar and punctuation throughout.

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