Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-02

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 obesity and should remain legal. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe that junk food advertising should be more strictly regulated rather than completely banned.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people believe junk food advertising contributes significantly to obesity. Firstly, advertisements are often designed to make unhealthy food appear attractive, particularly to children and teenagers. Bright colours, popular celebrities and cartoon characters can encourage young people to develop a preference for foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat. Secondly, frequent exposure to these advertisements can influence consumers' purchasing decisions. Even when people are aware that fast food is unhealthy, repeated advertising may encourage them to buy it more often. As a result, excessive consumption of junk food can contribute to weight gain and related health problems.

On the other hand, opponents of an advertising ban argue that advertising is not the primary cause of obesity. People's weight is influenced by a variety of factors, including their overall diet, level of physical activity, lifestyle and genetic characteristics. For example, a person may see advertisements for fast food regularly but still maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Furthermore, banning advertisements would not prevent people from buying unhealthy food, as such products are widely available in supermarkets, restaurants and convenience stores. Therefore, it can be argued that individuals should ultimately take responsibility for their own dietary choices.

In my opinion, although advertising is certainly not the only cause of obesity, it can have a considerable influence on people's eating habits, especially those of children. However, a complete ban would be unnecessarily restrictive. A better approach would be to limit junk food advertising during children's television programmes and on platforms aimed at young people, while also requiring companies to provide clear nutritional information. Governments should simultaneously promote healthy eating and physical activity through education and public health campaigns.

In conclusion, junk food advertising can encourage unhealthy eating habits, but obesity has many other causes and cannot be solved simply by banning advertisements. I believe that stricter regulation, combined with health education and greater individual responsibility, would be a more effective solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the argument for banning junk food advertising and the counter-argument that it is not the primary cause of obesity. Your own position is clearly stated in the introduction and consistently maintained throughout the essay, culminating in a nuanced conclusion that suggests regulation rather than a total ban. The ideas are well-developed, with logical supporting points such as the impact on children and the role of individual responsibility. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the prompt requirements.

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 paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' effectively. The use of referencing and substitution is natural, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the structure of an argumentative essay. There is a consistent flow of information, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'public health concern', 'excessive consumption', 'unnecessarily restrictive', and 'simultaneously promote' show a level of precision and flexibility. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your arguments clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While some people argue that...', 'Even when people are aware that...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. You successfully use modal verbs to express opinions and suggestions (e.g., 'should be more strictly regulated', 'would be a more effective solution'). There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall control of syntax is highly commendable.

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