Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-16
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)
Nowadays, high sugar consumption from manufactured food and drinks is a major contributor to various health issues such as obesity and diabetes. Some people argue that increasing the price of sugary products is the most effective way to reduce sugar intake. I partially agree with this view because higher prices can discourage consumers, but price hikes alone are not enough to completely solve the problem.
On the one hand, raising taxes on sugary items can effectively reduce their demand. When prices go up, budget-conscious consumers—especially young people and lower-income families—are less likely to buy sugary drinks and snacks on a daily basis. For instance, several countries that introduced a "sugar tax" on soft drinks saw a noticeable decrease in sales shortly after implementation. Furthermore, higher prices encourage food and beverage manufacturers to reformulate their recipes by reducing sugar content to keep products affordable for customers.
On the other hand, relying solely on price increases has limitations. Sugar is highly addictive, so consumers who regularly eat processed foods might continue buying them despite higher costs, which simply increases their financial burden without changing their habits. Additionally, unhealthy foods are often cheaper and more convenient than fresh alternatives. If healthy options like fruits and vegetables remain expensive, people will still choose processed food out of necessity. Therefore, governments should complement higher prices with public health education campaigns and subsidies on fresh foods to make healthy eating more accessible.
In conclusion, while making sugary products more expensive is an effective strategy to lower consumption, it should be part of a broader policy. Combining price increases with education and affordable healthy alternatives will lead to more sustainable long-term health improvements.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position throughout (partial agreement). The student successfully introduces both sides of the argument—the effectiveness of taxation in reducing consumption and the limitations regarding addiction and alternative costs—and supports them with relevant examples, such as the introduction of a sugar tax. Ideas are well developed and extended logically, reflecting the Band 7 and Band 8 descriptors where the prompt is thoroughly explored with a balanced view.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, moving smoothly from the introduction to body paragraphs discussing opposing sides, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, as seen with phrases like "On the one hand," "On the other hand," and "Therefore." Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, ensuring the overall structure guides the reader naturally through the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The student demonstrates a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on public health and taxation. Less common items and collocations are used effectively, such as "budget-conscious consumers," "reformulate their recipes," and "financial burden." Word choice is precise and natural throughout, with only minor lexical slips. The language successfully conveys nuanced arguments regarding socioeconomic factors and government policy.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and concessive clauses (e.g., "If healthy options like fruits and vegetables remain expensive, people will still choose processed food out of necessity"). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control over grammar and punctuation is strong. Errors are virtually non-existent, showcasing high-level grammatical accuracy that aligns with the higher band descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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