Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-09-05

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)

Obesity has become a serious health issue in many societies. 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 impact on people's weight. In my opinion, although junk food advertising is not the only cause of obesity, it significantly influences people's eating habits, especially those of children, and should be strictly regulated rather than completely banned.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why people believe junk food advertising contributes to obesity. Firstly, advertisements are specifically designed to make unhealthy food appear attractive and desirable. Companies often use colourful packaging, celebrities, cartoons and special offers to encourage consumers to purchase products that are high in sugar, salt and fat. This can have a particularly strong effect on children, who may repeatedly ask their parents to buy advertised snacks and fast food. Secondly, frequent exposure to such advertisements can create unhealthy eating habits from an early age. For example, a child who regularly sees advertisements for burgers, soft drinks and chocolate may develop a preference for these products instead of healthier alternatives such as fruit and vegetables.

On the other hand, opponents argue that advertising is not the main reason for increasing obesity rates. They point out that individuals are ultimately responsible for their food choices and lifestyles. Obesity can result from several other factors, including a lack of physical activity, excessive portion sizes, busy lifestyles and limited nutritional knowledge. Even if junk food advertisements were banned, people would still be able to purchase unhealthy food from supermarkets and restaurants. Therefore, simply removing advertisements would not completely solve the problem.

I believe that a complete ban may be unnecessary, but stricter controls are justified. Governments could prohibit junk food advertisements during children's television programmes, restrict the use of cartoon characters to promote unhealthy products, and require companies to display clear nutritional information. At the same time, schools and governments should encourage exercise and educate people about healthy eating.

In conclusion, although junk food advertising is only one of several causes of obesity, it can strongly influence people's food choices, particularly among children. Therefore, rather than imposing an absolute ban, governments should introduce strict regulations while also promoting healthier lifestyles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument regarding junk food advertising and provided a well-reasoned personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the mention of 'colourful packaging' and 'celebrities' to influence children. The conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments and provides a balanced final stance. The response is well-structured and meets all the requirements of the task.

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, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore'. The use of referencing is accurate, and the paragraphing is logical and appropriate. The flow of the argument is easy to follow, and the relationship between ideas is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'significantly influences', 'repeatedly ask', and 'stricter controls are justified' show a good level of precision. There is an attempt to use less common items, and the word choice is generally natural and accurate. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated, topic-specific collocations could elevate the response further to a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('Even if junk food advertisements were banned...') and subordinate clauses ('...especially those of children, and should be strictly regulated...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The control over complex structures is consistent, and there are no significant errors that impede communication.

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