Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-08-31

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 undeniable that, there is a growing concern that many manufactured food and beverage products contain excessive amounts of sugar, leading to a multitude of health complications. Many individuals has emerged suggesting that increasing the prices of these sugary items could serve as an effective strategy to reduce their consumption. Many people maintain that this perspective is valid and warranting consideration. I agree to a large extent with this notion which explain forthcoming fragments with a logical conclusion.

To commence with, it is widely acknowledged that higher prices for sugary products could result in a decrease in consumer demand. Firstly, the rationale behind this stems from a common-sense approach, where individuals are generally inclined to allocate their financial resources towards maintaining their health rather than exacerbating health issues. For example, pricing sugary foods and drinks at a premium could act as a deterrent, prompting consumers to reconsider their choices and prioritize healthier alternatives. Secondly, this measure would not only positively impact individual health outcomes but could also alleviate the economic burden associated with preventable diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that price adjustments alone may not suffice in addressing the challenges posed by sugar-rich products. A multifaceted approach is necessary to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of excessive sugar consumption. Additionally, consumers should be encouraged to scrutinize food and beverage labels diligently to monitor their sugar intake. Finally, regulatory measures could mandate manufacturers to reduce the levels of added sugars in their products, favoring natural sweeteners instead.

In conclusion, while there are various practical strategies to mitigate the consumption of sugary foods and drinks, ultimately decreasing the prevalence of health-related complications, I argue that merely raising the prices of such products may be considered a superficial remedy. It is imperative to implement comprehensive educational campaigns and regulatory frameworks to foster a long-term change in consumer behavior and improve public health.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that agrees with the proposal to a large extent while acknowledging the limitations of price adjustments. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly the discussion on economic burdens and the need for a multifaceted approach. However, the introduction is slightly wordy and contains some awkward phrasing, such as 'Many individuals has emerged suggesting', which slightly detracts from the clarity of the position. Overall, the argument is well-developed and logically structured, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the argument for price increases and the counter-argument for a multifaceted approach is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently clear, which aligns with the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is generally appropriate and sufficient for the task. The student uses some sophisticated collocations like 'alleviate the economic burden', 'detrimental effects', and 'regulatory frameworks'. There are occasional minor inaccuracies, such as 'forthcoming fragments' which is an unnatural choice of words in this context. However, the range of vocabulary is adequate to convey precise meanings, and the errors do not impede communication. The use of topic-specific vocabulary related to health and economics is a strength, justifying a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex structures, such as 'It is undeniable that there is a growing concern...' and '...while there are various practical strategies...'. While there are some grammatical slips, such as subject-verb agreement errors ('Many individuals has emerged') and minor punctuation issues, the majority of sentences are error-free. The control of grammar is generally good, and the errors do not cause difficulty for the reader. The mix of simple and complex sentences is effective, supporting a Band 7.0 score.

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