Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-24

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 6.0)

In recent years, sugar consumption has become a widely debated issue. Although there are arguments on both sides, I strongly agree with the view that manufactured food should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar, mainly because this could improve consumer health and help people save money.

The primary reason why I agree with this view is that it could improve the health of individuals. This is mainly because if the prices of sugar-containing foods and drinks are increased, people may be less likely to buy these kinds of products. As a result, they may consume less sugar and consequently improve their overall health. For example, if sugary foods are cheap, they are easily affordable for everyone, which can encourage people to consume them regularly. However, if the prices of these products are increased, people may be less willing to purchase them. Therefore, increasing the prices of sugar-containing products could encourage people to consume less sugar and, in turn, improve their health.

Another important reason for my position is that higher prices for unhealthy products could help people save money instead of spending it on unhealthy items. One reason for this is that if the government increases taxes on sugary products, people may avoid purchasing expensive unhealthy foods and save their money instead. For instance, many people regularly spend money on inexpensive sugary snacks and drinks. However, if the cost of these products increases, consumers may be less likely to buy them. Consequently, higher prices for unhealthy products could reduce unnecessary spending, which further supports my view that such a policy could be beneficial.

In conclusion, I firmly agree with the view that sugar-containing products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar. This is because such a measure could improve people's health and help them save money, both of which could have a significant positive impact on society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. The arguments are relevant and logically developed, focusing on health benefits and economic implications. However, the development is somewhat repetitive; the second and third paragraphs essentially restate the same point—that higher prices lead to lower consumption—without introducing broader societal or economic nuances. To reach a higher band, you should aim to extend your ideas further, perhaps by discussing the potential for tax revenue to be reinvested into public health initiatives or addressing potential counter-arguments, such as the impact on low-income families, to show a more sophisticated understanding of the issue.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the progression of ideas is easy to follow. You use cohesive devices such as 'The primary reason', 'Another important reason', and 'Consequently' effectively. However, the linking is occasionally mechanical, and the transition between ideas could be smoother. The structure is sound, but the repetitive nature of the arguments makes the flow feel slightly circular rather than building toward a comprehensive conclusion. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would help elevate the score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. You use topic-specific terms like 'sugar consumption', 'manufactured food', and 'unhealthy items' correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic phrasing (e.g., 'good', 'important', 'cheap'). To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, academic vocabulary and collocations. For example, instead of repeating 'increase the prices', you could use 'implement a sugar tax', 'levy higher duties', or 'discourage consumption through fiscal measures'. The current range is sufficient but lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good level of grammatical control. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('if the prices... are increased, people may be less likely...'). The sentences are generally error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. While the grammar is accurate, the range of structures is somewhat restricted; there is a lack of more advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or varied subordinate clauses, which would demonstrate greater flexibility. The writing is clear and easy to read, with no errors that impede communication.

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