This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the real IELTS exam on the topic of taxing sugar.
It is really, really similar to a question a few months ago about the government taxing unhealthy foods that you can read here.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Taxing Sugar
Governments in many countries have recently introduced special taxes on foods and beverages with high levels of sugar. Some think these taxes are a good idea while others disagree.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.
Many believe that new taxes on sugary products are beneficial for the public while others feel they impinge on individual freedoms. In my opinion, despite the drawbacks, the benefits to health justify these regulations.
Those who oppose such laws point out the limits placed on less affluent customers. The wealthy can still afford to buy sugary foods and drinks as the taxes are small enough. However, poorer individuals will find that an extra few dollars for a soda or candy bar is prohibitively expensive. They will rightly feel the right to make choices about their own health and the foods they like has been restricted by government. Consumers buying sugary foods and drinks are already well aware of the associated health risks; they have simply decided to value short-term gratification over long-term health.
Nonetheless, freedom and safety will always be in conflict and this change is unequivocally for the public good. Sugar has been shown in studies to be more harmful that fatty foods and is one of the driving factors behind a variety of conditions ranging from obesity to diabetes to, allegedly, cancer. Soda companies like Coca Cola and candy manufacturers like Nestle have tapped into a basic human desire for sweets to attract customers and build their brands. Because they were allowed free latitude in the past, the only solution now is draconian taxes that can begin to slowly dissuade people from sugary products and eventually break down their dependence to a healthy, moderate level.
In conclusion, though there are class issues associated with taxing sugar, these are outweighed by their benefits to public health. Governments around the world ought to adopt some variation of these important reforms.
Analysis
1. Many believe that new taxes on sugary products are beneficial for the public while others feel they impinge on individual freedoms. 2. In my opinion, despite the drawbacks, the benefits to health justify these regulations.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who oppose such laws point out the limits placed on less affluent customers. 2. The wealthy can still afford to buy sugary foods and drinks as the taxes are small enough. 3. However, poorer individuals will find that an extra few dollars for a soda or candy bar is prohibitively expensive. 4. They will rightly feel the right to make choices about their own health and the foods they like has been restricted by government. 5. Consumers buying sugary foods and drinks are already well aware of the associated health risks; they have simply decided to value short-term gratification over long-term health.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Develop your main idea.
- Continue to develop by stating further results.
- Don’t swich to a new main idea.
- Summarise your argument for the paragraph.
1. Nonetheless, freedom and safety will always be in conflict and this change is unequivocally for the public good. 2. Sugar has been shown in studies to be more harmful that fatty foods and is one of the driving factors behind a variety of conditions ranging from obesity to diabetes to, allegedly, cancer. 3. Soda companies like Coca Cola and candy manufacturers like Nestle have tapped into a basic human desire for sweets to attract customers and build their brands. 4. Because they were allowed free latitude in the past, the only solution now is draconian taxes that can begin to slowly dissuade people from sugary products and eventually break down their dependence to a healthy, moderate level.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Use studies to support your ideas when possible.
- Develop your idea with specific, real examples.
- Add as much detail as you can.
1. In conclusion, though there are class issues associated with taxing sugar, these are outweighed by their benefits to public health. 2. Governments around the world ought to adopt some variation of these important reforms.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many believe that new taxes on sugary products are beneficial for the public while others feel they impinge on individual freedoms. In my opinion, despite the drawbacks, the benefits to health justify these regulations.
Those who oppose such laws point out the limits placed on less affluent customers. The wealthy can still afford to buy sugary foods and drinks as the taxes are small enough. However, poorer individuals will find that an extra few dollars for a soda or candy bar is prohibitively expensive. They will rightly feel the right to make choices about their own health and the foods they like has been restricted by government. Consumers buying sugary foods and drinks are already well aware of the associated health risks; they have simply decided to value short-term gratification over long-term health.
Nonetheless, freedom and safety will always be in conflict and this change is unequivocally for the public good. Sugar has been shown in studies to be more harmful that fatty foods and is one of the driving factors behind a variety of conditions ranging from obesity to diabetes to, allegedly, cancer. Soda companies like Coca Cola and candy manufacturers like Nestle have tapped into a basic human desire for sweets to attract customers and build their brands. Because they were allowed free latitude in the past, the only solution now is draconian taxes that can begin to slowly dissuade people from sugary products and eventually break down their dependence to a healthy, moderate level.
In conclusion, though there are class issues associated with taxing sugar, these are outweighed by their benefits to public health. Governments around the world ought to adopt some variation of these important reforms.
Answers
taxes money paid to the government
sugary products cupcakes, cakes, candy, etc.
beneficial good
the public citizens, all people
impinge limit
individual freedoms what individuals are permitted to do
despite the drawbacks regardless of the negatives
justify give reason for
regulations keep in check
oppose go against
point out argue
limits placed on restrictions on
less affluent customers poor people
afford can buy
small enough not too big
find realise
extra few dollars some more money
prohibitively expensive too much to be able to buy
rightly correctly
restricted by government limited by law
consumers people who buy, customers
associated health risks related health problems
value short-term gratification over long-term health only care about the present moment
in conflict not in agreement
unequivocally undoubtedly
public good for the benefit of all
fatty foods foods high in fat like pizza, burgers, etc.
driving factors main catalyst for
a variety of conditions many different problems
obesity fat
diabetes a sugar related disease
allegedly supposedly
manufacturers makers
tapped into exploited
attract customers get people to buy it
build their brands become more successful
free latitude leeway to do what they want
draconian old and strict
slowly dissuade over time lessen
break down reduce
dependence need for
moderate level not too much of
class issues related to how much money you make
outweighed stronger than
public health for the good of citizens’ health
ought should
adopt some variation legislate similarly
important reforms crucial changes
Pronunciation
ˈtæksɪz
ˈʃʊgəri ˈprɒdʌkts
ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl
ðə ˈpʌblɪk
ɪmˈpɪnʤ
ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ˈfriːdəmz
dɪsˈpaɪt ðə ˈdrɔːbæks
ˈʤʌstɪfaɪ
ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
əˈpəʊz
pɔɪnt aʊt
ˈlɪmɪts pleɪst ɒn
lɛs ˈæflʊənt ˈkʌstəməz
əˈfɔːd
smɔːl ɪˈnʌf
faɪnd
ˈɛkstrə fjuː ˈdɒləz
prəˈhɪbɪtɪvli ɪksˈpɛnsɪv
ˈraɪtli
rɪsˈtrɪktɪd baɪ ˈgʌvnmənt
kənˈsjuːməz
əˈsəʊʃɪeɪtɪd hɛlθ rɪsks
ˈvæljuː ʃɔːt-tɜːm ˌgrætɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ˈəʊvə ˈlɒŋtɜːm hɛlθ
ɪn ˈkɒnflɪkt
ˌʌnɪˈkwɪvəkəli
ˈpʌblɪk gʊd
ˈfæti fuːdz
ˈdraɪvɪŋ ˈfæktəz
ə vəˈraɪəti ɒv kənˈdɪʃənz
əʊˈbiːsɪti
ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz
əˈlɛʤdli
ˌmænjʊˈfækʧərəz
tæpt ˈɪntuː
əˈtrækt ˈkʌstəməz
bɪld ðeə brændz
friː ˈlætɪtjuːd
dreɪˈkəʊnjən
ˈsləʊli dɪˈsweɪd
breɪk daʊn
dɪˈpɛndəns
ˈmɒdərɪt ˈlɛvl
klɑːs ˈɪʃuːz
aʊtˈweɪd
ˈpʌblɪk hɛlθ
ɔːt
əˈdɒpt sʌm ˌveərɪˈeɪʃən
ɪmˈpɔːtənt ˌriːˈfɔːmz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many believe that new t_____s on s__________________s are b___________l for t_____________c while others feel they i__________e on i____________________s. In my opinion, d______________________s, the benefits to health j________y these r______________s.
Those who o__________e such laws p_________t the l_________________n l___________________________s. The wealthy can still a______d to buy sugary foods and drinks as the taxes are s____________h. However, poorer individuals will f_____d that an e_____________s for a soda or candy bar is p____________________e. They will r_________y feel the right to make choices about their own health and the foods they like has been r________________________t. C___________s buying sugary foods and drinks are already well aware of the a______________________s; they have simply decided to v_______________________________________________h.
Nonetheless, freedom and safety will always be i____________t and this change is u____________________y for the p___________d. Sugar has been shown in studies to be more harmful that f___________s and is one of the d________________s behind a v____________________s ranging from o________y to d__________s to, a__________y, cancer. Soda companies like Coca Cola and candy m__________________s like Nestle have t____________o a basic human desire for sweets to a_____________________s and b_________________s. Because they were allowed f_______________e in the past, the only solution now is d________________n taxes that can begin to s_____________________e people from sugary products and eventually b____________n their d______________e to a healthy, m___________________l.
In conclusion, though there are c_____________s associated with taxing sugar, these are o_____________d by their benefits to p_____________h. Governments around the world o________t to a___________________n of these i_______________________s.
Listening Practice
Learn here about a family that quit sugar for a month:
Reading Practice
In contrast, learn about some popular baked goods below:
https://www.kitchenstories.com/en/stories/our-20-most-popular-sweet-baked-goods-ever
Speaking Practice
Answer the following questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Baking
- Did you learn to bake as a child?
- Do you bake often now?
- What foods are baked in your country most often?
- Is baking popular in your country today?
Writing Practice
Write about the following related topic ans 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?
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