Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-05

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)

In recent years, there has been considerable discussion about whether sugary food and drinks should be made more expensive in order to reduce their consumption. While some people believe that individuals should be free to choose what they eat and drink, I completely agree with this approach because higher prices can discourage excessive sugar consumption and help prevent serious health problems.

To begin with, one of the main reasons why I support this view is that higher prices can reduce the risk of diseases such as diabetes. This is because when sugary food and drinks become more expensive, people may consume them less frequently and choose healthier alternatives instead. Excessive sugar consumption can cause blood sugar levels to rise and may increase the risk of developing diabetes. For example, a person who regularly buys soft drinks may choose water or other healthier beverages if sugary products become more expensive. Therefore, increasing the price of these products could encourage people to adopt healthier dietary habits.

Another significant reason is that reducing the consumption of sugary products can help prevent excessive weight gain. In other words, regularly consuming foods and drinks that contain large amounts of sugar can lead to obesity and other related health problems. For instance, one of my cousins struggled with excessive weight because he frequently consumed sweets and sugary drinks. Although he later tried to change his eating habits, losing weight became difficult. As a result, making sugary products more expensive could encourage consumers to reduce their intake and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

In conclusion, although some people may argue that increasing the prices of sugary products is unfair, I strongly believe that this policy is beneficial. By discouraging excessive sugar consumption, it could reduce the risk of diabetes and obesity and provide long-term health benefits for individuals and society.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by clearly stating a position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout. Each body paragraph presents a distinct, relevant argument—disease prevention and obesity reduction—which are well-supported with logical explanations and examples. The ideas are extended sufficiently to meet the requirements of the task. The conclusion effectively summarises the main points and reinforces the writer's stance. The response is well-focused and demonstrates a clear understanding of the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Therefore', 'Another significant reason', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an academic essay. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The writer uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'excessive sugar consumption', 'healthier alternatives', 'dietary habits', and 'obesity'. While the range is adequate, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated or less common collocations to reach the highest band. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling, and the language used is precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'While some people believe that individuals should be free to choose what they eat and drink, I completely agree with this approach'. The majority of sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly. There is a consistent level of accuracy throughout the text, and the grammatical control is strong, allowing for clear and effective communication of ideas.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.