PTE essay: Should people be required to retire at a certain age

The essay prompt

Should people be required to retire at a certain age? Give reasons and examples to support your view.

You have 20 minutes to write 200–300 words.

Essay type: Open discussion. State your position early, support it with two clear reasons and examples, and acknowledge the other side briefly before concluding.

A 3-minute plan

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic and give your position in one sentence.
2. Body paragraph 1: your strongest reason, with an example.
3. Body paragraph 2: a second reason, or the other side and why you still hold your view.
4. Conclusion: restate your position in new words.

Model essay (228 words)

In many countries, people are living longer and healthier lives, which has raised questions about when they should stop working. Some argue that there should be a compulsory retirement age, but I believe people should be free to choose when they retire, based on their health and ability.

The main argument for a fixed retirement age is that it creates opportunities for younger workers. When older employees retire, positions become available for graduates and people seeking promotion. In addition, some jobs, such as those involving heavy physical work, may become unsafe for older workers.

However, a compulsory retirement age ignores individual differences. Many people in their late sixties and seventies remain healthy, skilled and highly productive. For example, experienced doctors, teachers and engineers often mentor younger colleagues and share knowledge that would otherwise be lost. Forcing them to leave could also create financial hardship for those without enough savings.

Furthermore, an ageing population means that many economies face skill shortages. Encouraging capable older people to keep working, perhaps part-time, can help businesses and reduce pressure on pension systems. Safety concerns can be managed through regular health checks for specific occupations rather than a general age limit.

In conclusion, I believe people should not be required to retire at a set age. Instead, retirement should depend on individual circumstances, with safety checks for jobs where age genuinely affects performance.

Why this essay scores well

• Content: it answers the exact question and keeps to one clear position.
• Form: 228 words, inside the 200–300 range.
• Development, structure and coherence: 5 paragraphs, each with one main idea, linked with clear connectors.
• Grammar and vocabulary: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with topic vocabulary used accurately.
• Spelling: one consistent spelling style (Australian/British).

Now write your own

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