Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 8.5)

Numerous manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to a wide range of health problems. Some people argue that these products should be made more expensive in order to discourage their consumption. While excessive sugar intake undoubtedly has serious health consequences, I do not believe that increasing prices is the most effective solution.

To begin with, consuming excessive amounts of sugar can have severe long-term effects on people's health. One of the most common illnesses associated with a high-sugar diet is diabetes. As people grow older, their bodies often become less efficient at producing and using insulin, making them more vulnerable to this disease. Furthermore, excessive sugar consumption contributes to obesity, particularly among young people who lead sedentary lifestyles and do not exercise regularly. Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as other serious health conditions such as heart disease.

However, I disagree with the idea of raising the prices of sugary products. In my opinion, many consumers would continue purchasing these items despite the higher cost because they are already accustomed to them. As a result, the main beneficiaries would be the manufacturers, who would simply earn greater profits without any significant reduction in consumption.

Instead of imposing higher prices, governments should invest in public health campaigns to educate people about the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption. Schools, hospitals, and the media can play a crucial role in raising awareness and encouraging healthier eating habits. In addition, promoting regular physical activity would help people reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.

In conclusion, although sugary products are harmful to public health, increasing their prices is unlikely to solve the problem. I believe that education and awareness are far more effective ways to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the counter-argument regarding the ineffectiveness of price hikes and the alternative suggestion of public health education. Each paragraph contributes logically to the overall argument, and the examples provided, such as the link between sedentary lifestyles and diabetes, are relevant and well-integrated. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the prompt's requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the acknowledgement of the problem and your disagreement with the proposed solution is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', 'However', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the internal structure of each paragraph is coherent, ensuring that the flow of information is natural and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'sedentary lifestyles', 'excessive sugar intake', and 'serious health consequences' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and your control over the vocabulary used is consistent throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your writing displays a good command of both simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'While excessive sugar intake undoubtedly has serious health consequences, I do not believe that increasing prices is the most effective solution.' The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips do not impede communication or affect the overall readability of the essay.

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