Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-03

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 7.0)

IELTS Essay

Many processed food and drink products contain excessive amounts of sugar, which can contribute to a range of health problems. I strongly agree that sugary products should be made more expensive, as higher prices can discourage excessive consumption and encourage people to make healthier choices.

The main reason why I support this measure is that excessive sugar consumption can have serious consequences for people's health. Consuming large amounts of sugar on a regular basis can lead to weight gain and obesity, which may increase the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes. In addition, excessive sugar intake is a major cause of tooth decay, particularly among children and teenagers. These health problems can negatively affect people's quality of life and may also place additional pressure on healthcare systems. For example, people who frequently consume sugary drinks and snacks are more likely to develop weight-related health problems than those who maintain a balanced diet.

Increasing the price of sugary products could be an effective way to reduce their consumption and encourage healthier eating habits. When sugary drinks and snacks become more expensive, people may be less willing to purchase them regularly, particularly those who consume these products on a daily basis. Instead, they may choose more affordable and nutritious alternatives, such as water, fresh fruit or unsweetened beverages. This change in purchasing behaviour could gradually lead to healthier dietary habits, as individuals may become accustomed to consuming less sugar over time. Furthermore, reducing sugar consumption across the population could lower the number of people suffering from obesity, diabetes and other diet-related illnesses. For example, if the price of sugary soft drinks increased significantly, consumers might be more likely to choose water or other low-sugar beverages, thereby reducing their daily sugar intake.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that sugary products should be made more expensive, as this can reduce sugar consumption and encourage people to make healthier choices.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the health consequences of sugar and the second on the economic mechanism of price increases as a deterrent. The arguments are logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of obesity and diabetes, and the suggestion of water as an alternative. The response is well-balanced and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the health risks and the proposed solution is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Furthermore', and 'Instead', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two main body points, and the conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'excessive consumption', 'diet-related illnesses', and 'purchasing behaviour' are used correctly and appropriately for an academic context. While the vocabulary is accurate and clear, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more nuanced collocations or less common academic vocabulary to demonstrate greater flexibility. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and there are no errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'if the price of sugary soft drinks increased significantly, consumers might be more likely to...'. The sentences are generally error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. While the range of structures is solid, incorporating a wider variety of advanced grammatical forms—such as passive voice constructions or more complex subordinate clauses—would further enhance the sophistication of your writing.

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