Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Momentum Workout · 2026-10-24

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 5.5)

In few societies, obesity is regarded as a main problem. A number of people argue that junk food advertising is largely to blame for this issue and should be banned. Although, others feel that junk food advertising does not contribute to the problem of obesity and should not be banned. I support the latter viewpoint. In the following essay, I will discuss both views and present my opinion.

On the one hand, there are several reasons why advertising should be banned. One of the main reasons is that advertisements can encourage people, especially children, to eat unhealthy food. These adverts often make junk food look attractive and enjoyable, which may lead people to buy and consume it more frequently. As a result, they may take in too many calories and gain weight over time. In addition, Junk food adverts can tempt young and older to eat unhealthy snacks. For instance, when people watched television or social media authority provides many advertisements about junk food and after that people order in online or go restaurants.

On the other hand, there are various reasons why advertisements should not be banned. One of the key reasons is that advertising is not the main cause of obesity, as people usually choose junk food because they enjoy its taste or find it convenient. For example, many people buy fast food even without seeing an advertisement. Another reason is that banning junk food advertisements could limit businesses’ ability to promote their products and compete with other companies.

In my opinion, everyone should maintain their healthy lifestyle because if they don't maintain they can't be strong. Once a month people can eat junk food but if people eating unhealthily food daily it caused harmful diseases for their health. Balancing is the main key for healthy lifestyle.

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of governments and individuals to evaluate the role of junk food advertisement and determine it will yield greater benefits or drawbacks. Thus, it is evident that fostering an interest in junk food advertising is not beneficial for our life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address both sides of the debate and state a position—“I support the latter viewpoint”—so the response is relevant to the task. However, the discussion is only partly developed, which limits how fully the task is answered. The argument for a ban includes a plausible point about children and attractive advertising, but the example about seeing adverts and then ordering food is unclear and does not establish how advertising causes obesity. The case against a ban is more direct, with convenience and business competition mentioned, but these points receive little explanation. Your personal view shifts towards general advice about healthy lifestyles rather than clearly explaining why advertising should or should not be banned. Develop and support your position more consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for each view, a personal opinion, and a conclusion. Signposting such as “On the one hand” and “On the other hand” helps readers follow the contrast. However, progression is uneven: the paragraph beginning “In my opinion” introduces lifestyle advice without clearly connecting it to your stated support for the view that advertising should not be banned. The final paragraph then returns to advertising but concludes that interest in it is not beneficial, which makes your position less clear. Some links within sentences are also awkward, particularly the example beginning “For instance.” Make each paragraph advance one clear point and use the conclusion to restate the same position established in the introduction.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to discuss the issue, including “obesity,” “advertisements,” “unhealthy food,” “calories,” and “compete.” There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “maintain their healthy lifestyle” and “harmful diseases.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes making the intended meaning difficult to follow. For example, “young and older” is not a natural way to refer to age groups, and “fostering an interest in junk food advertising” does not express a clear conclusion about the policy debate. Repetition of “junk food,” “people,” and “advertisements” also limits range. Aim for precise topic phrases and check that each expression fits its context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “because,” “which,” and “as a result.” Some sentences communicate straightforward ideas clearly, such as “Many people buy fast food even without seeing an advertisement.” However, errors are frequent, and complex attempts are often faulty. Examples include “In few societies,” “Although, others feel,” and “if people eating unhealthily food daily it caused harmful diseases,” where articles, clause structure, verb forms, and agreement are not controlled. The sentence about watching television or social media also has an unclear structure and tense sequence. Practise building accurate sentences with one main clause and a correctly formed subordinate clause, then check verb forms and punctuation.

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