This list was written by BandLadder's authors, Fizza Butool Zaidi and Ali Zaidi. The meanings and example sentences are our own, not taken from model answers or dictionaries.

12 words

Writing Task 2 vocabulary

Formal and neutral items that suit an essay. They work in Speaking too.

an ageing population
A population in which the share of older people is rising.
An ageing population places growing pressure on pension systems.
British spelling; American 'aging'.
life expectancy
The average number of years a person is expected to live.
Life expectancy has risen steadily thanks to better healthcare and nutrition.
the elderly
Old people as a group.
Much care for the elderly is provided unpaid by family members.
Can sound distant; 'older people' is often preferred.
older people
People in the later part of life; a neutral, respectful term.
Older people contribute a great deal through volunteering and childcare.
retirement age
The age at which people normally stop working.
Several countries have raised the retirement age to keep pensions affordable.
the state pension
Regular money paid by the government to people above a certain age.
The state pension alone is rarely enough to live comfortably.
care homes
Residential homes where older people receive care.
Demand for places in care homes is rising faster than supply.
British; American English says 'nursing homes'.
intergenerational
Involving different generations.
Intergenerational projects bring schoolchildren and older people together.
the dependency ratio
The number of people not working compared with those of working age.
As the dependency ratio rises, fewer workers support each retired person.
social isolation
Having little contact with other people.
Social isolation is a serious health risk for older people living alone.
healthy ageing
Staying well and active in later life.
Policies that promote healthy ageing reduce long-term medical costs.
a wealth of experience
A large amount of experience.
Older employees bring a wealth of experience to the workplace.

Use ageing and older people vocabulary in a Task 2 essay

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10 phrases

Speaking vocabulary

Natural spoken English for Parts 1 to 3. Items noted as informal or as an idiom belong in Speaking only, never in Task 2.

grandparents
The parents of your mother or father.
My grandparents live with us, which is quite common in my country.
getting on a bit
Getting old.
My grandad is getting on a bit, but he still walks every day.
Informal and affectionate.
young at heart
Behaving and feeling young despite being old.
My grandmother is eighty but very young at heart.
take care of
To look after someone.
My aunt gave up her job to take care of my grandfather.
retire
To stop working because of age.
My father plans to retire next year.
pensioners
People receiving a pension.
Pensioners in my city can travel free on buses.
British English.
respect for elders
Treating older people with honour and politeness.
Respect for elders is a big part of my culture.
the generation gap
Differences in attitudes between young and old people.
There's a big generation gap between me and my grandparents when it comes to technology.
set in their ways
Unwilling to change habits.
Some older people are a bit set in their ways.
full of stories
Having many interesting stories to tell.
My grandfather is full of stories about his childhood.

Writing Task 2

Use it in an answer

Many countries are facing the challenge of an ageing population. What problems does this cause, and what can be done?

An ageing population creates two linked problems. As the dependency ratio rises, a shrinking workforce must fund pensions and healthcare for more retired people, and demand for care homes outstrips supply. Many older people also face social isolation, which harms their health. Governments can respond by gradually raising the retirement age for those able to work, investing in healthy ageing so people stay independent longer, and supporting intergenerational housing schemes that keep older people connected to their communities.

Written by our authors to show the vocabulary in use; not an official IELTS sample.

Lexical Resource

How examiners judge this vocabulary

Vocabulary is scored as Lexical Resource, one quarter of your Writing and Speaking marks. At the higher bands the public IELTS band descriptors for Speaking mention “less common and idiomatic vocabulary”, together with awareness of style and collocation. In practice that means the right item in the right register: ‘an ageing population’ in an essay, ‘grandparents’ when you speak. Accuracy comes first; a misused advanced word costs more than a plain one used well.

Practise in context

Ageing and older people questions to practise

Frequently asked questions

Old, elderly or older: which is most polite?+

'Older people' is the most neutral and respectful choice. 'The elderly' is common in essays but can sound distant; 'old people' can sound blunt. In Speaking, naming the relationship ('my grandparents') is warmest.

Is it 'ageing' or 'aging'?+

'Ageing' is British spelling and 'aging' is American. Both are accepted in IELTS; keep to one spelling throughout your answer.

Can I use the Speaking phrases in Writing Task 2?+

Not the informal ones. Phrasal verbs and idioms such as 'getting on a bit' sound natural in Speaking but are too casual for an essay, and Task 2 should have no contractions. Everything in the Writing list works in both papers.

Will learning these words raise my IELTS band?+

Not on their own, and no word list guarantees a band. Lexical Resource rewards vocabulary used precisely and naturally, so five items you can use correctly are worth more than twenty forced into an answer. Learn each one with its example, then write or say a sentence of your own.

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IELTS vocabulary for ageing and older people