Scorify.uzThe question
Some governments have introduced extra taxes on sugary drinks and fast food to improve public health. Do you think this is an effective way to encourage healthier eating? To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
What the question asks
You are asked to judge whether taxes really change eating habits, so effectiveness is the key word. Choose a position, support it with how people behave when prices change, and consider one fair objection, such as the effect on poorer families.
Essay plan
- Introduction: Rephrase the policy and give your view, for example that a tax helps but works best with other measures.
- Body 1: why a tax can work: Higher prices reduce demand; money raised can pay for health services or school meals; manufacturers change recipes.
- Body 2: limits of the policy: Lower-income households may be hit hardest, and habits depend on education and availability, not only price.
- Conclusion: Restate your view: a useful tool, but not sufficient without education and better access to fresh food.
Band 7+ sample essay
Rising rates of obesity and diabetes have led some governments to place extra taxes on sugary drinks and fast food. I partly agree that this is an effective step, although I believe it works best when combined with other measures.
The strongest argument for a tax is basic economics. When a product becomes more expensive, fewer people buy it, and this is especially true for young consumers who have limited pocket money. A tax can also push companies to reduce the sugar in their products to avoid paying more, which improves the diet of people who never think about nutrition. In addition, the revenue can be spent on public health campaigns or free fruit in schools.
On the other hand, the policy has clear weaknesses. Families on low incomes spend a larger share of their budget on food, so they may feel the extra cost most, while wealthier people simply continue to buy what they like. Furthermore, price is only one factor behind eating habits. If fresh vegetables are expensive or hard to find in a neighbourhood, a tax on burgers will not automatically lead people to cook healthy meals at home.
For this reason, I think taxation should be accompanied by education and practical support. Cooking lessons in schools and cheaper fresh produce in local markets would give people a real alternative, rather than just a higher bill.
In conclusion, taxing unhealthy food can influence behaviour and raise useful funds, but it is not a complete solution. Governments should treat it as one part of a wider strategy to improve public health.
263 words.
Why this essay scores well
- Task Response: every part of the question is answered and the position stays consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: each paragraph has one clear idea, linked with natural connectors rather than a list of memorised phrases.
- Lexical Resource: topic vocabulary is precise and varied, without forcing rare words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with conditionals and relative clauses used accurately.
Useful vocabulary
- sugary drinks — soft drinks with a lot of added sugar
- obesity rates — the proportion of people who are very overweight
- reduce demand — make people want to buy less
- revenue — money received, for example from taxes
- low-income households — families with little money
- fresh produce — newly grown fruit and vegetables
- a wider strategy — a larger plan with several actions
- nutrition — the food a body needs to stay healthy
Common mistakes on this question
- Only describing the problem of obesity instead of answering whether the tax is effective.
- Ignoring the extent: writing that taxes are always good or always bad leaves no room for a balanced view.
- Using unhealthy and junk food without ever explaining the specific examples such as sugary drinks.
Study guides
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Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is this IELTS Task 2 question?
It is a opinion (agree/disagree) question. You are asked to judge whether taxes really change eating habits, so effectiveness is the key word. Choose a position, support it with how people behave when prices change, and consider one fair objection, such as the effect on poorer families.
How many words should the essay be?
Write at least 250 words. Most strong answers are 260–290 words, planned in about five minutes and completed in 40 minutes.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, an explanation and an example.