Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-07-28

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)

It is often suggested that manufactured food and drink products containing high levels of sugar should be made more expensive to reduce their consumption. I completely agree with this perspective because higher prices can discourage people from buying unhealthy products, and this policy can improve public health.

One primary reason supporting this view is that increasing the price of sugary products can reduce their consumption. In other words, when people have to pay more for unhealthy food and drinks, they are more likely to think twice before purchasing them and may choose healthier alternatives instead. A clear example of this can be seen in soft drinks. If sugary beverages become more expensive, many consumers are likely to switch to water, milk, or fresh fruit juice. Consequently, people will consume less sugar and gradually develop healthier eating habits.

Beyond this, another compelling argument for this stance relates to improving public health. This is largely because excessive sugar consumption is one of the leading causes of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. For instance, a person who replaces sugary snacks with fruits and nuts is more likely to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing chronic illnesses. Therefore, making sugary products more expensive could encourage healthier lifestyles, lower healthcare costs, and improve the overall well-being of society.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that sugary food and drink products should be made more expensive due to their ability to reduce excessive sugar consumption as well as their positive impact on public health. Although this measure may not completely eliminate unhealthy eating habits, it would certainly encourage people to make healthier choices and lead to a healthier society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of increasing prices on sugary products. The ideas are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning, such as the economic impact on consumer behavior and the subsequent health benefits. Each paragraph focuses on a distinct, relevant argument, and the conclusion effectively summarizes the main points. The response is balanced and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements, providing a coherent argument throughout.

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 paragraphs is smooth. The student makes effective use of cohesive devices such as 'In other words,' 'Consequently,' and 'Beyond this,' which help to guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall structure is coherent, making the essay easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

The vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'manufactured food,' 'chronic illnesses,' and 'public health' effectively. While the range is sufficient and precise, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is natural and error-free, demonstrating a good command of language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If sugary beverages become more expensive, many consumers are likely to switch...' and the use of subordinate clauses. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of control over sentence construction, which is consistent with a high band score.

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