Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-26

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 6.5)

It is widely recognized that many manufactured foods and drinks contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause serious health problems. Some people argue that these products should be made more expensive to reduce sugar consumption. I am in complete agreement with this idea because higher prices can discourage people from buying unhealthy products and encourage them to choose healthier options.

The primary reasons why I agree with this view is that increasing the price of sugary products can mitigate their consumption. When these foods become more expensive, people may think carefully before buying them, especially those who consume them regularly. In other words, disadvantaged communities can not afford these items for their everyday consumption. For example, if soft drinks and sweets cost more, some families may choose water, fresh fruit, or homemade food instead. Therefore, it is evident that people reduce their daily sugar intake and improve their health.

Another compelling reason is that higher prices can encourage food companies to make healthier products. This can be attributed to the fact that customers start avoiding expensive sugary foods, manufactures may reduce the amount of sugar in their products to attract buyers. Furthermore, governments can also use the extra tax collected from these products to support public health programs. For instance, this money could be used to provide health education in schools or improve sports facilities for young people.

To conclude, I firmly agree that sugary food and drinks should be made more expensive. Although this policy may have some disadvantages, it can reduce sugar consumption, encourage healthier choices, and motivate manufacturers to produce better products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, maintaining a clear position throughout. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, particularly the point regarding how manufacturers might reformulate products to avoid the tax. The ideas are extended with logical examples, such as the mention of public health programs and the shift toward healthier alternatives. The essay is balanced and covers the implications of the proposed policy effectively. To reach a higher band, the student could further explore potential counter-arguments or nuances, such as the regressive nature of such taxes on lower-income households, to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence that guides the reader. Cohesive devices such as 'The primary reasons', 'In other words', 'Another compelling reason', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to link ideas. The progression of arguments is smooth and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some transitions could be slightly more sophisticated to improve the overall flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision. The student uses relevant topic-specific terms like 'mitigate', 'consumption', 'reformulate' (implied), and 'public health programs'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'manufactures' used as a noun instead of 'manufacturers'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated, idiomatic, or less common lexical items that would characterize a higher band. However, the meaning is consistently clear, and the vocabulary is used accurately enough to convey the intended message without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is good control over basic grammar, and the majority of sentences are clear. However, there are occasional errors, such as the subject-verb agreement in 'The primary reasons... is' (should be 'are') and the run-on structure in 'customers start avoiding expensive sugary foods, manufactures may reduce...'. Despite these slips, the errors do not impede communication. To improve, the student should focus on ensuring subject-verb agreement and using more varied complex structures with greater precision.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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