Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-08-15

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some societies, obesity is regarded as a major problem. Some people believe that junk food advertising is largely to blame for this problem and should be banned. However, others feel that junk food advertising does not contribute to the problem of obesity and should not be banned.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience·and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence. Write at least 250 words.

Student answer (Band 7.5)

In many countries, obesity has become a serious public health concern. While some people argue that advertising for junk food is a major cause of this problem and should therefore be prohibited, others believe that such advertising has little influence on people's weight. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe stricter controls on junk food advertising are justified.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why junk food advertising may contribute to obesity. Firstly, advertisements are designed to make unhealthy foods appear attractive and desirable. They often use colourful images, celebrities, discounts and emotional messages to encourage people to buy products that are high in sugar, salt and fat. Children are particularly vulnerable because they may not fully understand the persuasive purpose of advertising. For example, repeated exposure to advertisements for fast food and sugary drinks can make these products seem like a normal part of a child's daily diet. Furthermore, advertising can encourage people to consume larger quantities by promoting large portions and special offers.

On the other hand, it can be argued that advertising is not the main reason for obesity. People are ultimately responsible for their own food choices, and many other factors contribute to weight gain. A lack of physical activity, busy lifestyles, poor nutritional knowledge and genetic factors can all play a role. Moreover, people can see advertisements for unhealthy food without necessarily purchasing or consuming it. For instance, someone who follows a balanced diet and exercises regularly is unlikely to become obese simply because they see fast-food advertisements.

In my opinion, although advertising is not the only cause of obesity, it does have a significant influence, particularly on children. Therefore, I do not believe that a complete ban is necessary, but governments should impose stricter regulations. Advertisements for unhealthy food could be prohibited during children's television programmes, and companies could be required to display clear nutritional information.

In conclusion, junk food advertising can encourage unhealthy eating habits, although obesity is caused by a combination of factors. I believe that regulating such advertising, rather than completely banning it, would be a more practical and effective solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have discussed both perspectives—the argument for banning junk food advertising and the counter-argument that personal responsibility and other factors are more significant—and provided a clear, balanced personal opinion. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the point regarding children's vulnerability to persuasive marketing. The conclusion effectively synthesises your position by proposing a middle-ground solution of regulation rather than a total ban. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are linked effectively using cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion'. The transition between the two opposing views and your own opinion is smooth and natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The use of referencing is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the flow of your argument. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'public health concern', 'persuasive purpose', 'nutritional knowledge', and 'stricter regulations' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('someone who follows... is unlikely to become obese') and concessive clauses ('Although advertising is not the only cause...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is consistent. There are no significant grammatical errors that hinder the reader's understanding. To reach a higher band, you could aim for even greater structural variety, but the current level of accuracy and range is very strong.

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