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.
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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.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- 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.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples/argument.
- Vary long and short sentences and switch to a second reason.
- 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.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- 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.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- 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
- Do you like sweets?
- Did you like sweets when you were younger?
- 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?
Still have difficulties in reducing the number of words written. 🙁
It is true that the high consumption of food or drinks containing an excessive amount of sugar may trigger numerous obesity-related illnesses. Therefore, many opine that the prices of sugary products should be raised to discourage consumers from eating them more. In my opinion, such a policy is unlikely to be effective in addressing health problems; therefore, other more viable measures are needed.
The argument in favor of this reform is that a more expensive price of sugary products can deter consumers from eating more. This is especially the case in undeveloped or developing countries whereby consumers are price-conscious. This means that the high price of this unhealthy food may nudge them to opt for the cheaper and healthier counterpart. However, such reasoning is fraught with pitfalls as many consumers are still willing to pay to satisfy their additions. Additionally, doing so fails to solve the underlying problems of being overweight due to leading a sedentary lifestyle among consumers. Therefore, the idea of raising the prices of sugary products to reduce health problems should be rejected.
Therefore, superior solutions taken by both parents and the government are necessary. First, it is of paramount importance for parents to educate their children about the value of having a healthy diet. This may render children not only realize the significance of lean eating to their physical and mental health but also shun ultra-processed food, often leading to them forming a healthy eating habit at an early age. Second, the government should run campaigns to raise the masses’ awareness of the severe repercussions of consuming excessively sugary products and having a passive lifestyle. For example, by highlighting the suffering of diabetic patients caused by the high consumption of sugar on television, the public may be galvanized into both reducing their sugar intake and doing exercise more.
In conclusion, I am strongly convinced making sugary products more expensive has a marginal impact on reducing health issues among consumers. Thus, other more feasible measures adopted by both the government and parents are required to encourage people to adopt a more healthy lifestyle.
If your timing is around 40 minutes you don’t have to worry so much about the length, Mike.
Really high level collocations as usual!
Dear Dave, could you please help me?
I personally find this question a little tricky because we need to discuss the solution proposed. If we disagree with the statement in the essay and, instead, suggest our own solution (like you did in your essay), wouldn’t it be considered a violation of the format? I mean, it’s not a problem/solution essay, and they didn’t ask for alternative measures in the question…
Thank you very much in advance!
Sure, yes I agree it is a little tricky.
There is more than one way to deal with it – and there are no violations of the format in IELTS – just ways to address or not address the topic.
The tactic that I used was to say that I disagree with this approach because there are alternative, better solutions – so that is a valid way of dealing with it.
You could also write more about why that specific solution is not a good one (which I include a bit).
Does that make it clearer for you?
Thank you very much, Dave, for your detailed response. It makes sense now that your second argument is not about a solution but more of an argument why the proposed policy wouldn’t work.
I tried to write an essay saying why I disagree with the specific solution providing two arguments against it: first – that it might engender public discontent, and second – that it didn’t work for tobacco, but it seemed to me a little bit “unbalanced” and simply a critical report without alternative suggestions 🙁
So I guess that without an alternative solution, the essay looks even worse…
I think that approach you took is fine.
As long as you are answering the question, there are many different possible approaches.
Your reasons both sound good!
Could you please mark this?
Nowadays, most junk meals and liquor production have a lot of sugar, which is the bad health that comes with it. Some people do believe that sugary products should be costly to decreased people’s consumption of sugar. In this essay, I will either agree or disagree with this statement and express my opinion on the matter. Firstly, I will discuss the benefits of using less carbohydrate in over well-being and secondly, I will explore what should encourage the public to consume less sugar.
In the beginning, today, almost all the public consume fast foods and drinks, which have a lot of sugar and preservative and high calorie, and also this is a highly bad effect in our health condition. Moreover, the one reason for this situation is because of busy lives. For instance, all the kids start eating junk food from around 5-6 years old, and it will cause problems like blood pressure or obesity at a young age, and it can cause a heart attack. Moreover, nowadays, almost all the people are working and don’t have time to make food for themselves or their families, and they prefer to purchase ready food or liquor, which has high calories and source of many diseases.
On the other hand, some folk think one suggestion for this growing trend could be making sugary products more expensive, in my opinion, which is effective and I agree with it. Furthermore, one suggestion could be the companies can be given a healthy meal and drink for their employee and in this case, their employees will have healthy lives. In addition, in the schools can give the student a more herbivore meal in that situation, the student can have physical health, which can cause mental well-being too.
In conclusion, in my view, everyone should be careful about what they eat and drink and also, the government can put some regulation, for example, can say the range of carbohydrate used in the all-consuming things can not be more than that range.
Nice work, Mohi!
You could use a shorter introduction so you can develop your ideas better. Try to develop rather than list a lot of ideas as well.
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Thanks for your quick response.
No problem!
Body para 1 sente 4- Similarly, taxation has had limited effectiveness concerning food products in European nations…
the linking word “Similarly” does not make sense here since the para is talking about effectiveness of policy and you have introduced a contradicting argument.
Wouldn’t – Conversely or In contrast or Yet – would be better to use here.
Thanks for commenting, Ram!
Similarly makes sense in that paragraph because I am comparing the two situations. I am basically making an analogy between how taxes can work to discourage consumption. So it links the ideas the way I meant to. Does that make more sense for you now?
Those other words show contrast but I am trying to show that it is the same basic idea working here.
Oh okay! Thanks for explaination.