IELTS Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1196 - The consequence of improved medical care is people are living longer
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
One of the consequences of improved medical care is that people are living longer and life expectancy is increasing.
Do you think the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer 1: [Advantages outweigh disadvantages]
Modern medical facilities and research in the healthcare sector have brought miracles to the world. We have cures for deadly diseases, and researchers are working with our genes to prevent diseases even before we are born - marvellous indeed! As a result, people these days live longer. This trend has both positive and negative aspects. In my opinion, longer life expectancy offers far more advantages than demerits.
Among the drawbacks of this trend, a higher life expectancy increases the ratio of senior citizens in a country and it requires a huge budget to support their healthcare and retirement. For instance, when older people constitute more than 35% of the total population in a country, its healthcare and retirement support budget increases by 60% compared to a country where the ratio of senior citizens is less than 20%. Moreover, an increasing ratio of senior citizens would mean a shrinking young workforce for a country, and that has negative consequences on national productivity and economic activities.
On the other hand, with an increasing life expectancy, people these days remain more active and contribute to society even in their old age. As the government has raised the retirement age, old people are no longer a burden, but an active workforce. To cite an example, professors, researchers, lawmakers, writers and many other professionals have vast experience and could contribute even more in their old age. Thus, when a physicist discovers a groundbreaking theory in his or her 70s, we should thank the enhanced medical research and treatment. Finally, as the number of working parents is heightening, grandparents are the last hope for young children. Older people are doing us a favour by taking most of our family burdens.
To conclude, thanks to the enhanced medical facilities for which we now live longer and be part of the progress. This enhanced life expectancy is a blessing for the human race despite some drawbacks. So I wholeheartedly believe that the trend of enhanced life expectancy due to medical advancement has more merits than drawbacks.
Model Answer 2: [Advantages outweigh disadvantages]
This era is sanctified with comprehensive medical care, and the lifespan of people has enhanced and still increasing through modern medicines and treatments. I believe the result has blessed human civilisation and the disadvantages of increasing life expectancy are overshadowed by its advantages.
Increased life expectancy brings forth certain disadvantages. One major disadvantage is the potential strain it places on healthcare systems and resources. As people live longer, the demand for medical services and long-term care increases, leading to overcrowded hospitals, longer waiting times, and financial burdens on healthcare systems. For example, the rising number of elderly individuals requiring specialized healthcare and support services can overwhelm the existing infrastructure, potentially compromising the quality and accessibility of care.
Among the advantages, ultra-modern facilities and advanced medicines have transformed medical facilities and cured many deadly diseases. With an improved lifespan, people can contribute more to society. Early retirement plans let them start another profession as they are more active these days. For instance, many professionals these days start their own businesses after their retirement. This trend welcomes freshers to have jobs and eradicates unemployment to a great extent while also contributing to the national economy.
Moreover, as a direct result of improved life expectancy, people can spend more time with their family and grandchildren. Working parents can leave their children in safe hands while at work. The way grandparents care for their grandchildren is incomparable to the attention they would receive from a daycare centre. So, we need our elder parents to be with us more than ever before.
In conclusion, an improved lifespan profoundly benefits the family as well as society. Despite a few drawbacks, a growing lifespan offers far more benefits.
[Written by - Sita]
Model Answer 3: [Disdvantages outweigh advantages]
The global population will be eight billion soon, a staggeringly high number than the ideal population that the world can support, and advanced medical care has, on top of that, increased people's life expectancy, making the situation graver than ever before. Higher life expectancy, as a result of modern medical care, though thought to be a blessing, actually has more negative consequences on our economy and society. This essay will explore both the advantages and disadvantages of this and opine that it has more disadvantages.
The first advantage of increased life expectancy is that it allows people to live longer and let them share their experiences with the younger members. These senior members can also look after the children and contribute to developing their ethical and moral characteristics. Moreover, they can sometimes remain active and contribute to the national economy. For instance, many elders start a shop or a business after their retirement and it has a positive contribution to creating jobs.
However, the disadvantages of a higher proportion of the aged population are profound and widespread. As the proportion of senior citizens increases in a country, the economy has to take more strain to support their living and healthcare. Moreover, higher life expectancy keeps more aged people in jobs and thus reduces career opportunities for younger people. The social consequences of this trend are also very high. Since young people are busy with their studies and work, they have little time to care for their aged parents and grandparents. As a result, those people do not get enough time from their family members that they need.
To conclude, advanced medical care has blessed us with higher life expectancy but has also created profound economic and social problems. I believe the disadvantages of higher life expectancy far outweigh its benefits when we judge things from practical, economic and societal points of view.
Model Answer 4: [Advantages outweigh disadvantages]
The advancements in medical care have led to a significant increase in life expectancy, and clearly, this phenomenon has both positive and negative aspects. I firmly believe that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and this essay explains why.
A major disadvantage of this trend is that increased life expectancy puts a potential strain on social support systems, particularly for older adults. As people live longer, the need for social services, including eldercare and support for ageing populations, increases. This can place a burden on families, communities, and government resources. For instance, the growing number of older adults requiring assistance with daily living activities, such as healthcare, transportation, and social interaction, can stretch the availability of caregiving services and support networks. It may also impact the well-being of family caregivers who face challenges in balancing their own responsibilities with providing care for ageing parents or relatives.
On the contrary, one of the most significant advantages of increased life expectancy due to modern treatment and advancement in medical science is that people have more time to achieve their goals and fulfil their aspirations. They can pursue further education, start new businesses, and travel to exotic destinations without having to worry about age-related health problems. Additionally, living longer also allows individuals to spend more time with their loved ones, creating more cherished memories.
Secondly, with people living longer, society can benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience that comes with age. Older individuals can serve as mentors and provide valuable insights and wisdom to younger generations. Moreover, they can continue to contribute to society through volunteering or engaging in charitable work.
In conclusion, the advantages of increased life expectancy far outweigh the disadvantages. With more time to achieve personal goals, contribute to society, and be productive in the workforce, individuals can live more fulfilling lives. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to invest in medical research and technological advancements to further improve the quality of healthcare and increase life expectancy.
Model Answer 5: [Disdvantages outweigh advantages]
With the advancement of medical care, people are now living longer than ever before. The increased life expectancy comes with its advantages and disadvantages. In this essay, I will outline both the merits and drawbacks of this and argue that the disadvantages of increased life expectancy outweigh the advantages.
One of the advantages of increased life expectancy is that people have more time to pursue their goals and make a positive impact on the world, whether it is through their work, volunteering, or other forms of contribution. Additionally, increased life expectancy can lead to greater economic productivity as older adults continue to work and contribute to the workforce.
However, there are many disadvantages to this phenomenon as well. One of the main disadvantages of living longer is the burden on the economy. As people live longer, there is an increase in the number of people who require medical care and social services, which puts a strain on government budgets. The cost of providing healthcare, pension benefits, and other services to an ageing population is considerable, and it can result in reduced funding for other areas such as education, infrastructure, and defence.
Another significant disadvantage of increased life expectancy is the negative impact on the environment. Longer life spans lead to greater consumption of resources and energy, which contribute to environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, and deforestation. As people live longer, they consume more resources, produce more waste, and contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions, which can have catastrophic effects on the planet.
To conclude, while it is undoubtedly beneficial that medical care has improved to the point where people can live longer, the negative consequences of this development are significant. The burden on the economy, the negative impact on the environment, and the social and cultural problems all demonstrate that the disadvantages of increased life expectancy outweigh the advantages.
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