Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-03

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 7.0)

Obesity has become a serious problem in many societies. Some people believe that junk food advertising is mainly responsible for this issue and should be banned, while others argue that advertising has little influence on obesity. This essay will discuss both views and explain why I believe advertising should be strictly controlled.

On the one hand, junk food advertisements can strongly influence people's eating habits, especially those of children. Companies often use colourful images, attractive packaging and popular celebrities to make unhealthy food appear appealing. Children may repeatedly ask their parents to buy products they see on television or social media. In addition, frequent advertisements can encourage people to consume fast food and sugary drinks more regularly, which may lead to excessive calorie intake and weight gain. Therefore, restricting such advertising could reduce the exposure of young people to unhealthy choices.

On the other hand, advertising is not the only cause of obesity. People's lifestyles, eating habits and levels of physical activity also play important roles. Many people consume unhealthy food because it is cheap, convenient and easily available, regardless of whether they have seen advertisements for it. Furthermore, genetic factors and a lack of exercise can contribute to obesity. Consequently, completely banning junk food advertising may not solve the problem.

In my opinion, junk food advertising does contribute to obesity, particularly among children, but it should be regulated rather than completely banned. Governments should prevent companies from targeting children and should also promote healthy eating through education.

In conclusion, although advertising is not the sole cause of obesity, it can encourage unhealthy consumption. A combination of advertising restrictions, health education and greater physical activity would be the most effective solution.

AI examiner evaluation

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

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both sides of the argument and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding the influence of advertising on children and the alternative factors contributing to obesity. The essay is balanced, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the main points. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific examples or evidence, such as referencing a specific country's policy or a study, to further strengthen the depth of the arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'In addition,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'excessive calorie intake,' 'genetic factors,' and 'strictly controlled.' The word choice is generally precise, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. While the vocabulary is accurate, it is functional rather than sophisticated. To achieve a higher score, the student could incorporate more nuanced or academic collocations to demonstrate a wider range of lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. There is a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'although advertising is not the sole cause...'). The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence structure is varied. The writing is largely error-free, with only minor slips that do not affect clarity. The control over grammar is consistent, and the complexity of the sentences is appropriate for an academic task.

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