IELTS Cambridge 16: Manufactured Foods and Sugar

by Dave | Jun 21, 2021 | Cambridge 16

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of manufactured food and drink products containing high levels of sugar and the health problems this causes from Cambridge IELTS 16.

Don’t miss out on the other essays (and tips) from Cambridge 16 here.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

Dave

IELTS Cambridge 16: Manufactured Foods and Sugar

Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar.

Do you agree or disagree?

Certain concerned citizens believe that prices should be raised to counter the high sugar content in various food and drink products. In my opinion, this solution may have a marginal impact but other reforms would engender greater progress.

Supporters of this policy argue that it has been effective in the past. The best known corollary would be the high price of tobacco products in many nations. Countries where prices are low, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, have considerably higher rates of smokers compared to nations that have instituted heavy taxes. Similarly, taxation has had limited effectiveness concerning food products in European nations where sugary and fatty foods are more expensive and there has been a concomitant marginal decline in consumption. However, the more striking realization from attempts to tax luxuries is that individuals are often willing to pay to satisfy their addictions and would rather sacrifice in other areas.

Therefore, superior solutions involve more holistic government action. This can be illustrated through policies in Japan. From a young age, children are fed healthy meals at school as well as at home, and the government has encouraged health awareness through a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at various demographics. The result is that sugary drinks and products have a place in society that is less prominent than in nations such as the United States where the culture centers on fast food, soda, and packaged meals. A more thoughtful approach should not be discounted simply because of the challenges posed by enacting and evaluating small steps that are aligned and enforced consistently over a period of years.

In conclusion, the immediate and largely ineffective fix offered by raising prices is not advisable compared with more long-term measures. Governments must therefore take a long view and communicate this clearly to the general citizenry.

Analysis

1. Certain concerned citizens believe that prices should be raised to counter the high sugar content in various food and drink products. 2. In my opinion, this solution may have a marginal impact but other reforms would engender greater progress.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Supporters of this policy argue that it has been effective in the past. 2. The best known corollary would be the high price of tobacco products in many nations. 3. Countries where prices are low, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, have considerably higher rates of smokers compared to nations that have instituted heavy taxes. 4. Similarly, taxation has had limited effectiveness concerning food products in European nations where sugary and fatty foods are more expensive and there has been a concomitant marginal decline in consumption. 5. However, the more striking realization from attempts to tax luxuries is that individuals are often willing to pay to satisfy their addictions and would rather sacrifice in other areas.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples/argument.
4. Vary long and short sentences and switch to a second reason.
5. Stay focused on the second main idea.

1. Therefore, superior solutions involve more holistic government action. 2. This can be illustrated through policies in Japan. 3. From a young age, children are fed healthy meals at school as well as at home, and the government has encouraged health awareness through a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at various demographics. 4. The result is that sugary drinks and products have a place in society that is less prominent than in nations such as the United States where the culture centers on fast food, soda, and packaged meals. 5. A more thoughtful approach should not be discounted simply because of the challenges posed by enacting and evaluating small steps that are aligned and enforced consistently over a period of years.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!

1. In conclusion, the immediate and largely ineffective fix offered by raising prices is not advisable compared with more long-term measures. 2. Governments must therefore take a long view and communicate this clearly to the general citizenry.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Certain concerned citizens believe that prices should be raised to counter the high sugar content in various food and drink products. In my opinion, this solution may have a marginal impact but other reforms would engender greater progress.

Supporters of this policy argue that it has been effective in the past. The best known corollary would be the high price of tobacco products in many nations. Countries where prices are low, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, have considerably higher rates of smokers compared to nations that have instituted heavy taxes. Similarly, taxation has had limited effectiveness concerning food products in European nations where sugary and fatty foods are more expensive and there has been a concomitant marginal decline in consumption. However, the more striking realization from attempts to tax luxuries is that individuals are often willing to pay to satisfy their addictions and would rather sacrifice in other areas.

Therefore, superior solutions involve more holistic government action. This can be illustrated through policies in Japan. From a young age, children are fed healthy meals at school as well as at home, and the government has encouraged health awareness through a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at various demographics. The result is that sugary drinks and products have a place in society that is less prominent than in nations such as the United States where the culture centers on fast food, soda, and packaged meals. A more thoughtful approach should not be discounted simply because of the challenges posed by enacting and evaluating small steps that are aligned and enforced consistently over a period of years.

In conclusion, the immediate and largely ineffective fix offered by raising prices is not advisable compared with more long-term measures. Governments must therefore take a long view and communicate this clearly to the general citizenry.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

certain particular

concerned worried

citizens people

prices should be raised they should cost more

counter solved

high sugar content has a lot of sugar in it

marginal impact small effect

reforms changes

engender create

progress moving forward

supporters those who believe in it

policy law, regulation

effective works well

corollary related example

high price very expensive

tobacco products cigarettes

considerably a lot

rates figures

smokers people who smoke

instituted heavy taxes enacted higher prices on

similarly also the same

taxation making consumers pay more

limited effectiveness not much effect

concerning having to do with

expensive costs a lot

concomitant marginal related small

consumption eating

striking realization big takeaway

attempts tries

luxuries non-essentials

satisfy their addictions consume what they crave

would rather sacrifice in other areas prefer to not buy other things

therefore thus

superior solutions better remedies

holistic government action combined action from the government

illustrated through seen by

fed healthy meals eat nutritious foods

as well as and

encouraged motivated

awareness knowing about

variety lots of different

programs initiatives

initiatives programs

aimed at directed towards

various demographics different groups of people in society

have a place in society still exist

less prominent not as noticeable

centers on revolves around

packaged meals TV dinners, unhealthy foods, etc.

thoughtful approach smart action

discounted not considered

challenges posed difficulties that may come up

enacting legislating

evaluating judging

steps stages

aligned all on the same page

enforced consistently made sure they are followed

over a period of years for a long time

immediate right away

largely ineffective fix doesn’t really help

offered by made available by

not advisable not a good idea

long-term measures will help over time

take a long view think of the future

communicate relay information

clearly definitely

general citizenry people in a country

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈsɜːtn 
kənˈsɜːnd 
ˈsɪtɪznz 
ˈpraɪsɪz ʃʊd biː reɪzd 
ˈkaʊntə 
haɪ ˈʃʊgə ˈkɒntɛnt 
ˈmɑːʤɪnəl ˈɪmpækt 
ˌriːˈfɔːmz 
ɪnˈʤɛndə 
ˈprəʊgrəs
səˈpɔːtəz 
ˈpɒlɪsi 
ɪˈfɛktɪv 
kəˈrɒləri 
haɪ praɪs 
təˈbækəʊ ˈprɒdʌkts 
kənˈsɪdərəbli 
reɪts 
ˈsməʊkəz 
ˈɪnstɪtjuːtɪd ˈhɛvi ˈtæksɪz
ˈsɪmɪləli
tækˈseɪʃən 
ˈlɪmɪtɪd ɪˈfɛktɪvnəs 
kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 
ɪksˈpɛnsɪv 
kənˈkɒmɪtənt ˈmɑːʤɪnəl 
kənˈsʌm(p)ʃən
ˈstraɪkɪŋ ˌrɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən 
əˈtɛmpts 
ˈlʌkʃəriz 
ˈsætɪsfaɪ ðeər əˈdɪkʃ(ə)nz 
wʊd ˈrɑːðə ˈsækrɪfaɪs ɪn ˈʌðər ˈeərɪəz
ˈðeəfɔː
sju(ː)ˈpɪərɪə səˈluːʃənz 
həˈlɪstɪk ˈgʌvnmənt ˈækʃ(ə)n
ˈɪləstreɪtɪd θruː 
fɛd ˈhɛlθi miːlz 
æz wɛl æz 
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤd 
əˈweənəs 
vəˈraɪəti 
ˈprəʊgræmz 
ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪvz 
eɪmd æt 
ˈveərɪəs ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks
hæv ə pleɪs ɪn səˈsaɪəti 
lɛs ˈprɒmɪnənt 
ˈsɛntəz ɒn 
ˈpækɪʤd miːlz
θɔːtfʊl əˈprəʊʧ 
ˈdɪskaʊntɪd 
ˈʧælɪnʤɪz pəʊzd 
ɪˈnæktɪŋ 
ɪˈvæljʊeɪtɪŋ 
stɛps 
əˈlaɪnd 
ɪnˈfɔːst kənˈsɪstəntli 
ˈəʊvər ə ˈpɪərɪəd ɒv jɪəz
ɪˈmiːdiət 
ˈlɑːʤli ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv fɪks 
ˈɒfəd baɪ 
nɒt ədˈvaɪzəbl 
ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˈmɛʒəz
teɪk ə lɒŋ vjuː 
kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt 
ˈklɪəli 
ˈʤɛnərəl ˈsɪtɪznri

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

C________n c__________d c___________s believe that p_____________________d to c__________r the h_______________t in various food and drink products. In my opinion, this solution may have a m_______________t but other r__________s would e__________r greater p___________s.

S_____________s of this p________y argue that it has been e__________e in the past. The best known c___________y would be the h____________e of t_______________s in many nations. Countries where prices are low, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, have c______________y higher r_______s of s_________s compared to nations that have i_______________________s. S___________y, t___________n has had l________________________s c____________g food products in European nations where sugary and fatty foods are more e___________e and there has been a c___________________________l decline in c______________n. However, the more s___________________n from a___________s to tax l____________s is that individuals are often willing to pay to s_____________________s and w_____________________________________s.

T__________e, s__________________s involve more h___________________________n. This can be i______________________h policies in Japan. From a young age, children are f___________________s at school a_____________s at home, and the government has e____________d health a____________s through a v__________y of p__________s and i____________s a________________t v________________________s. The result is that sugary drinks and products h__________________________y that is l__________________t than in nations such as the United States where the culture c_____________n fast food, soda, and p_________________s. A more t___________________h should not be d______________d simply because of the c__________________d by e___________g and e____________g small s_____s that are a_________d and e______________________y o_______________________s.

In conclusion, the i_______________e and l_______________________x o__________y raising prices is n_______________e compared with more l_______________________s. Governments must therefore t________________w and c_______________e this c___________y to the g___________________y.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/would-a-sugar-tax-on-sodas-and-snacks-help-reduce-obesity

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Sweets

1. Do you like sweets?
2. Did you like sweets when you were younger?
3. What kind of sweet foods are popular in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks.

What are the reasons for this?

What are the solutions?

IELTS Cambridge 16 Essay: Driverless Vehicles

by Dave | Jun 20, 2021 | Cambridge 16

This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of driverless vehicles, cars, buses and trucks from Cambridge IELTS 16.

Find all the other Cambridge 16 essays and tips for studying in the complete IELTS Cambridge 16 guide here.

Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!

Dave

IELTS Cambridge 16 Essay: Driverless Vehicles

In the future all cars, buses and trucks will be driverless. The only people travelling inside these vehicles will be passengers.

Do you think the advantages of driverless vehicles outweigh the disadvantages?

A future filled with driverless vehicles is an inevitability. In my opinion, though there are concomitant moral risks, the practical import for health of such a seismic shift will be positive on the whole.

Critics of this trend suggest that machines should not be responsible for the potential loss of human life. This argument rests on the fact that when there is an accident involving humans, it is possible to either assess blame and assign punishment or accept that human error played a role. In contrast, an individual severely injured as the result of a collision caused by a machine may justly feel that all human autonomy and free will is absent from their fate. This is analogous to a natural disaster with the crucial distinction being that humanity has engineered the situation. It is human nature to prefer to control a situation rather than surrender the outcome to an autonomous machine.

Proponents of automated vehicles, on the other hand, argue the tangible ramifications concerning public safety. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that driverless vehicles cause fewer accidents than humans. The reason for this is that humans are prone to errors related to fatigue, distractions such as smartphones, and, in some cases, altered states. Machines might experience the occasional technical error, however, they are far more consistent by comparison. In fact, the few accidents that have occurred with automated vehicles were the fault of human drivers. If all cars were driverless, this would enable a greater level of sophistication that could, theoretically, all but eliminate automobile accidents.

In conclusion, though many accidents will occur without human agency playing a role, safer roads fully justify this innovation. Companies and consumers must be wary of the influence of automation while also embracing its most transparent benefits.

Analysis

1. A future filled with driverless vehicles is an inevitability. 2. In my opinion, though there are concomitant moral risks, the practical import for health of such a seismic shift will be positive on the whole.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Critics of this trend suggest that machines should not be responsible for the potential loss of human life. 2. This argument rests on the fact that when there is an accident involving humans, it is possible to either assess blame and assign punishment or accept that human error played a role. 3. In contrast, an individual severely injured as the result of a collision caused by a machine may justly feel that all human autonomy and free will is absent from their fate. 4. This is analogous to a natural disaster with the crucial distinction being that humanity has engineered the situation. 5. It is human nature to prefer to control a situation rather than surrender the outcome to an autonomous machine.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific examples/argument.
4. Vary long and short sentences and switch to a second reason.
5. Stay focused on the second main idea.

1. Proponents of automated vehicles, on the other hand, argue the tangible ramifications concerning public safety. 2. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that driverless vehicles cause fewer accidents than humans. 3. The reason for this is that humans are prone to errors related to fatigue, distractions such as smartphones, and, in some cases, altered states. 4. Machines might experience the occasional technical error, however, they are far more consistent by comparison. 5. In fact, the few accidents that have occurred with automated vehicles were the fault of human drivers. 6. If all cars were driverless, this would enable a greater level of sophistication that could, theoretically, all but eliminate automobile accidents.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Continue developing it…
5. as fully as possible!
6. Conclude with the furthest possible result.

1. In conclusion, though many accidents will occur without human agency playing a role, safer roads fully justify this innovation. 2. Companies and consumers must be wary of the influence of automation while also embracing its most transparent benefits.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

A future filled with driverless vehicles is an inevitability. In my opinion, though there are concomitant moral risks, the practical import for health of such a seismic shift will be positive on the whole.

Critics of this trend suggest that machines should not be responsible for the potential loss of human life. This argument rests on the fact that when there is an accident involving humans, it is possible to either assess blame and assign punishment or accept that human error played a role. In contrast, an individual severely injured as the result of a collision caused by a machine may justly feel that all human autonomy and free will is absent from their fate. This is analogous to a natural disaster with the crucial distinction being that humanity has engineered the situation. It is human nature to prefer to control a situation rather than surrender the outcome to an autonomous machine.

Proponents of automated vehicles, on the other hand, argue the tangible ramifications concerning public safety. The evidence overwhelmingly suggests that driverless vehicles cause fewer accidents than humans. The reason for this is that humans are prone to errors related to fatigue, distractions such as smartphones, and, in some cases, altered states. Machines might experience the occasional technical error, however, they are far more consistent by comparison. In fact, the few accidents that have occurred with automated vehicles were the fault of human drivers. If all cars were driverless, this would enable a greater level of sophistication that could, theoretically, all but eliminate automobile accidents.

In conclusion, though many accidents will occur without human agency playing a role, safer roads fully justify this innovation. Companies and consumers must be wary of the influence of automation while also embracing its most transparent benefits.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

filled with full of

driverless vehicles cars that drive themselves

inevitability will definitely happen

though despite

concomitant related, coming from this

moral risks ethical considerations

practical import actual impact

seismic shift huge change

positive on the whole good overall

critics detractors

trend pattern

suggest say

responsible have a duty

potential loss possible death

argument rests on the fact that position is based in

involving having to do with

possible potential

either assess blame one option is that you can say who is responsible

assign punishment sentence them

accept recognize

human error mistakes by people

played a role had a part in

in contrast however

severely injured hurt badly

as the result of because of

collision accident

caused by happens because of

justly fair

human autonomy people choosing

free will choice

absent lacking

fate what will happen to you in life

analogous comparative to

natural disaster hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.

crucial distinction key difference

engineered the situation created the event

human nature how people are

prefer would rather

control have power over

rather than instead of

surrender give over power to

outcome result

autonomous freedom

proponents supporters

automated vehicles driverless cars, self-driving cars

on the other hand however

argue claim

tangible ramifications real impact

concerning having to do with

public safety the health of people

overwhelmingly clearly

driverless vehicles self-driving automobiles

prone have a tendency to

errors mistakes

fatigue tiredness

distractions ways to lose attention

in some cases sometimes

altered states drunk, under the influence of a substance

occasional sometimes

technical error computer mistake

far more consistent much more reliable

by comparison compared to that

in fact actually

occurred happened

fault mistake

enable allow for

greater level higher

sophistication complexity

theoretically hypothetically

all but eliminate automobile accidents nearly gotten rid of

safer roads fewer accidents

justify give good reason

innovation change

wary worried about

influence effect on

embracing welcoming

most transparent benefits very clear advantages

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

fɪld wɪð 
ˈdraɪvələs ˈviːɪklz 
ɪnˌɛvɪtəˈbɪlɪti
ðəʊ 
kənˈkɒmɪtənt 
ˈmɒrəl rɪsks
ˈpræktɪkəl ˈɪmpɔːt 
ˈsaɪzmɪk ʃɪft 
ˈpɒzətɪv ɒn ðə həʊl
ˈkrɪtɪks 
trɛnd 
səˈʤɛst 
rɪsˈpɒnsəbl 
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl lɒs 
ˈɑːgjʊmənt rɛsts ɒn ðə fækt ðæt 
ɪnˈvɒlvɪŋ 
ˈpɒsəbl 
ˈaɪðər əˈsɛs bleɪm 
əˈsaɪn ˈpʌnɪʃmənt 
əkˈsɛpt 
ˈhjuːmən ˈɛrə 
pleɪd ə rəʊl
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
sɪˈvɪəli ˈɪnʤəd 
æz ðə rɪˈzʌlt ɒv 
kəˈlɪʒən 
kɔːzd baɪ 
ˈʤʌstli 
ˈhjuːmən ɔːˈtɒnəmi 
friː wɪl 
ˈæbsənt 
feɪt
əˈnæləgəs 
ˈnæʧrəl dɪˈzɑːstə 
ˈkruːʃəl dɪsˈtɪŋkʃən 
ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪəd ðə ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃən
ˈhjuːmən ˈneɪʧə 
priˈfɜː 
kənˈtrəʊl 
ˈrɑːðə ðæn 
səˈrɛndə 
ˈaʊtkʌm 
ɔːˈtɒnəməs 
prəˈpəʊnənts 
ˈɔːtəmeɪtɪd ˈviːɪklz
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd
ˈɑːgjuː 
ˈtænʤəbl ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz 
kənˈsɜːnɪŋ 
ˈpʌblɪk ˈseɪfti
ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋli 
ˈdraɪvələs ˈviːɪklz 
prəʊn 
ˈɛrəz 
fəˈtiːg
dɪsˈtrækʃənz 
ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz
ˈɔːltəd steɪts
əˈkeɪʒənl 
ˈtɛknɪkəl ˈɛrə
fɑː mɔː kənˈsɪstənt 
baɪ kəmˈpærɪsn
ɪn fækt
əˈkɜːd 
fɔːlt 
ɪˈneɪbl 
ˈgreɪtə ˈlɛvl 
səˌfɪstɪˈkeɪʃən 
θɪəˈrɛtɪkəli
ɔːl bʌt ɪˈlɪmɪneɪt ˈɔːtəməʊbiːl ˈæksɪdənts
ˈseɪfə rəʊdz 
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪ 
ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃən
ˈweəri 
ˈɪnflʊəns 
ɪmˈbreɪsɪŋ 
məʊst trænsˈpeərənt ˈbɛnɪfɪts

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

A future f_____________h d____________________s is an i______________y. In my opinion, t_________h there are c______________t m____________s, the p________________t for health of such a s_____________t will be p__________________e.

C_______s of this t______d s________t that machines should not be r____________e for the p____________s of human life. This a_________________________t when there is an accident i___________g humans, it is p__________e to e__________________e and a__________________t or a_____t that h_____________r p________________e. I_____________t, an individual s_______________d a_____________________f a c_________n c___________y a machine may j________y feel that all h________________y and f__________l is a_________t from their f____e. This is a_____________s to a n______________r with the c__________________n being that humanity has e_____________________________n. It is h________________e to p_______r to c________l a situation r___________n s____________r the o_________e to an a______________s machine.

P___________s of a_________________s, o__________________d, a_______e the t________________________s c_____________g p_______________y. The evidence o_________________y suggests that d___________________s cause fewer accidents than humans. The reason for this is that humans are p______e to e_______s related to f_________e, d____________s such as smartphones, and, i_______________s, a_______________s. Machines might experience the o____________l t___________________r, however, they are f______________________________________n. I__________t, the few accidents that have o____________d with automated vehicles were the f_______t of human drivers. If all cars were driverless, this would e________e a g_____________l of s_______________n that could, t______________y, a___________________________________________s.

In conclusion, though many accidents will occur without human agency playing a role, s___________s fully j__________y this i___________n. Companies and consumers must be w____y of the i__________e of automation while also e____________g its m_________________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.wired.com/story/guide-self-driving-cars/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Public Transport (Model answer available on my Patreon)

1. Does your city use a lot of public transport?
2. When was the last time you used public transport?
3. Will you still use public transport in the future?
4. What would you like to change about the public transport in your city?

Writing Practice

Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:

Today different types of robots are being developed which can serve as companions and workers to help at work and at home.

Is this a positive or negative development?