Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-26

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 8.5)

The implementation of specialized health taxes to artificially increase the retail price of sugar-laden food and beverages is an increasingly prominent strategy in global public health policy. I completely agree with this approach, as economic deterrence is highly effective at shifting consumer habits, forcing manufacturers to reformulate their recipes, and generating vital revenue to treat the very health crises driven by industrial sugar consumption.

The primary argument for raising the cost of sugary goods lies in the proven mechanics of price elasticity. When governments impose a specialized health tax on commodities like soft drinks or processed snacks, the financial burden is passed directly to the consumer at the checkout counter. This immediate increase in price acts as a psychological and financial deterrent, particularly for price-sensitive demographics such as youth and low-income families, who statistically consume the highest volumes of junk food. Real-world implementation supports this logic; following the introduction of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy in the United Kingdom, research indicated a significant and sustained drop in the purchasing of high-sugar beverages, proving that financial penalties are directly correlated with reduced calorie intake.

Furthermore, an elevated pricing strategy serves a dual purpose by driving structural change on both the corporate and systemic levels. On the corporate side, when faced with dwindling sales due to higher prices, food and beverage conglomerates are strongly incentivized to reformulate their products. Rather than absorbing financial losses, manufacturers are pressured to reduce sugar levels below taxable thresholds or transition toward healthier ingredients, thereby sanitizing the wider food ecosystem. On a systemic level, the tax revenue generated from these items can be explicitly earmarked by governments to fund public healthcare systems, subsidize organic produce, or underwrite physical education programs in schools. The World Health Organization actively endorses this fiscal strategy, noting that such taxation not only curbs consumption but also mobilizes resources needed to achieve universal health coverage.

In conclusion, artificially raising the price of manufactured products containing excessive sugar is an entirely justifiable and pragmatic intervention. By leveraging economic pressure, societies can successfully curb public demand, incentivize corporate responsibility, and establish a self-sustaining cycle that actively combats chronic lifestyle illnesses like obesity and type-2 diabetes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by clearly stating a complete agreement with the proposition that sugary products should be made more expensive. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The student develops well-supported ideas by exploring both the mechanics of price elasticity and the systemic/corporate impacts, such as industry reformulation and government tax revenue generation. Specific real-world examples, like the United Kingdom's Soft Drinks Industry Levy, are integrated effectively to substantiate the arguments. The main ideas are fully extended and well-reasoned, meeting all the requirements for a high band descriptor under task response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The essay displays a very clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introduction that outlines the writer's position, followed by body paragraphs focusing on price elasticity and corporate/systemic changes respectively, and concluding with a concise summary. Cohesive devices are used flexibly and naturally, such as 'Furthermore' and 'On the corporate side,' guiding the reader smoothly through the argument without mechanical transitions. Paragraphing is fully appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the piece.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The candidate demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical resource suitable for an academic response. Sophisticated and uncommon lexical items are used skilfully throughout the text, including terms such as 'specialized health taxes,' 'economic deterrence,' 'price-sensitive demographics,' 'reformulate their recipes,' and 'taxable thresholds.' Word choice and collocations are generally precise, reflecting a high level of control over vocabulary. There are only occasional minor instances of standard phrasing, but overall the vocabulary is varied, natural, and contributes significantly to the quality of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

The writer employs a wide range of complex grammatical structures with a high degree of control and accuracy. Sentences such as 'When governments impose a specialized health tax on commodities like soft drinks or processed snacks, the financial burden is passed directly to the consumer at the checkout counter' show sophisticated subordination and accurate punctuation. The majority of the sentences are completely error-free, and any complex structures attempted are handled securely. There are no noticeable errors that impede communication, demonstrating an advanced command of grammar.

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