Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-28

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 7.5)

Manufactured food and drink products often contain excessive levels of added sugar, posing significant health risks. It has been proposed that raising the prices of sugary products could deter excessive sugar consumption. I am inclined to agree with this notion, albeit with certain reservations, as I will elaborate in the following essay.

Elevating the cost of sugary foods can dissuade individuals from consuming these products, potentially reducing the adverse health effects associated with excessive sugar intake. In recent years, the affordability, accessibility, and convenience of processed foods have led to a growing dependence on these products. However, these foods not only lack essential nutrients but also contain hidden, high levels of sugar, contributing to health issues such as diabetes and obesity. Hence, increasing the prices of sugary foods is a viable strategy to promote healthier dietary habits. This initiative may prompt people to reconsider their food choices, potentially leading them to opt for alternative options such as cooking with fresh ingredients at home. This, in turn, can contribute to a more balanced diet, ensuring adequate nutrition and energy for optimal physical well-being.

While this measure is advantageous for public health, it may exacerbate economic disparities within society. Those who rely on processed foods often hail from underprivileged economic backgrounds, where such products are affordable and readily available. Many individuals from these demographics resort to fast food due to limited financial resources or time constraints. Consequently, increased prices of processed foods may hinder economically disadvantaged individuals from accessing adequate sustenance, further widening the gap between the affluent and the impoverished. Therefore, implementing this measure may be impractical and inequitable in developing countries with limited living standards.

In conclusion, while I acknowledge the potential health benefits of increasing the cost of sugary foods, I am mindful of its potential to perpetuate economic inequality. Therefore, any policy aimed at regulating the prices of sugary products must be accompanied by measures to mitigate its impact on vulnerable communities, particularly in developing countries.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the health benefits of the proposed policy and the second paragraph providing a balanced counter-argument regarding economic inequality. The ideas are extended and supported with relevant reasoning, such as the mention of diabetes and obesity as health consequences and the impact on underprivileged demographics. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, suggesting a nuanced approach. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'consequently', 'in turn', 'while', and 'therefore', which help to connect sentences and arguments logically. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the supporting argument from the counter-argument. The transition between the health benefits and the economic concerns is handled well, ensuring the reader can follow your line of reasoning without difficulty. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary throughout the essay. Phrases such as 'exacerbate economic disparities', 'underprivileged economic backgrounds', and 'mitigate its impact' demonstrate a high level of lexical control and precision. The word choices are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is sufficiently varied to express complex ideas clearly. The language is precise and contributes significantly to the overall quality of the argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and accurate use of punctuation. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and agreement is excellent. For example, the use of 'while this measure is advantageous... it may exacerbate' shows a good grasp of complex sentence construction. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy, consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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