The topic of government regulation on sugary drinks has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on past trends and current global health concerns, it’s likely to remain a relevant issue in future tests. Let’s explore this topic with sample essays for different band scores, focusing on the question:
Some people think that governments should ban the sales of sugary drinks to improve public health. Others think that people should have freedom to choose what they drink. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires us to:
- Discuss the view that governments should ban sugary drinks
- Discuss the opposing view that people should have freedom of choice
- Provide our own opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Government regulation of sugary drinks
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The rising prevalence of obesity and related health issues has sparked a debate on whether governments should intervene by banning sugary drinks. While some argue that such regulation is necessary for public health, others contend that it infringes on personal freedom. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own view.
Proponents of government intervention argue that banning sugary drinks is crucial for improving public health. They contend that excessive consumption of these beverages significantly contributes to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. By restricting access to these products, governments could potentially reduce the incidence of these health issues and alleviate the strain on medical resources. Moreover, advocates argue that such bans protect children, who are particularly vulnerable to the marketing tactics of beverage companies and may lack the maturity to make informed decisions about their health.
On the other hand, opponents of such bans emphasize the importance of personal freedom and individual responsibility. They argue that in a democratic society, people should have the right to make their own choices about what they consume, even if those choices may be unhealthy. Furthermore, they contend that education and awareness campaigns would be more effective in promoting healthier choices than outright bans, which could lead to black markets or simply shift consumption to other unhealthy alternatives. Critics also point out that such regulations might disproportionately affect lower-income individuals, for whom sugary drinks may be an affordable source of calories.
In my opinion, while I recognize the importance of personal freedom, I believe that some level of government regulation on sugary drinks is necessary, though not necessarily in the form of an outright ban. A more balanced approach could involve implementing higher taxes on sugary beverages, mandating clear health warning labels, and restricting advertising, especially to children. These measures could discourage excessive consumption without completely removing the option for those who choose to indulge occasionally. Additionally, governments should invest in comprehensive public health education programs to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their diet and health.
In conclusion, while the debate between public health concerns and personal freedom is complex, I believe that a nuanced approach combining moderate regulation with education offers the best path forward. This strategy could help address the health issues associated with sugary drinks while still respecting individual choice to a significant degree.
(Word count: 398)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to a high band score:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating the writer’s own opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “While,” “On the other hand,” “Moreover”).
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “prevalence,” “infringes,” “alleviate,” “disproportionately”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and flexibly (e.g., complex sentences, passive voice, conditional statements).
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Conclusion: The essay provides a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The issue of whether governments should ban sugary drinks to improve public health is a topic of much debate. Some people think this is a good idea, while others believe it goes against personal freedom. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support banning sugary drinks argue that it would be good for public health. Sugary drinks are linked to many health problems like obesity and diabetes, which are becoming more common in many countries. By banning these drinks, the government could help reduce these health issues. This could also save money for healthcare systems. Additionally, it could protect children who might not understand the risks of drinking too many sugary beverages.
On the other hand, people who are against banning sugary drinks say it’s a matter of personal choice. They believe that in a free society, people should be able to decide what they want to drink, even if it might not be healthy. They also think that education about healthy eating and drinking would be better than banning things. Some worry that if sugary drinks are banned, people might just switch to other unhealthy foods or drinks instead.
In my opinion, while I understand the concerns about public health, I don’t think a complete ban on sugary drinks is the best solution. Instead, I believe governments should take a more balanced approach. They could increase taxes on sugary drinks to make them more expensive, require clear health warnings on labels, and limit advertising, especially to children. At the same time, they should provide better education about healthy eating and drinking habits. This way, people can still make their own choices, but they would be more informed and might be encouraged to choose healthier options.
In conclusion, while banning sugary drinks might seem like a quick fix for health problems, I believe a combination of moderate regulations and better education would be more effective and fair. This approach could help improve public health while still respecting people’s freedom to choose what they drink.
(Word count: 345)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to a Band 6-7 score:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and stating the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses some cohesive devices, though not always with complete flexibility.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, though with less sophistication compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There’s some attempt at using less common vocabulary (e.g., “balanced approach”).
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, generally with good control. There are fewer complex structures compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present and generally well-supported, though the level of detail and explanation is less than in the higher band essay.
Conclusion: The essay provides a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points and restates the writer’s opinion.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people are talking about if governments should stop selling sugary drinks. Some think it’s a good idea for health, but others say it’s not fair. I will talk about both sides and give my idea.
People who want to ban sugary drinks say it’s good for health. They think these drinks cause problems like getting fat and having bad teeth. If the government stops selling these drinks, maybe people will be healthier. Also, it might help kids who drink too much soda.
But other people don’t like this idea. They say we should choose what we want to drink. They think it’s not right for the government to tell us what to do. Also, they say if we can’t buy sugary drinks, we might just eat other unhealthy things instead.
I think both sides have good points. Sugary drinks can be bad for health, but I don’t think we should ban them completely. Maybe the government can make them more expensive or put warning labels on them. They should also teach people about healthy eating and drinking. This way, people can still choose, but they might pick healthier drinks more often.
In conclusion, I think we shouldn’t ban sugary drinks, but we should try to help people make better choices. The government can do some things to help, but people should also learn to be responsible for their health.
(Word count: 234)
Essay Analysis (Band 5-6)
This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to a Band 5-6 score:
Task Response: The essay addresses the task, discussing both views and stating an opinion. However, the ideas are not fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure with paragraphing. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive.
Lexical Resource: The essay uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some repetition. The language is simple and straightforward.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay primarily uses simple sentence structures with limited complexity. There are some errors, but they don’t significantly impede communication.
Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present but not fully elaborated. The supporting points are basic and could be more detailed.
Conclusion: The essay provides a basic conclusion that restates the main idea.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Regulation (noun) – /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃən/ – official rules or laws about what is allowed
- Intervention (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈvenʃən/ – the act of becoming involved in a situation to improve it or prevent it from getting worse
- Prevalence (noun) – /ˈprevələns/ – the fact of being very common or widespread
- Infringe (verb) – /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ – to limit or restrict someone’s rights or freedom
- Alleviate (verb) – /əˈliːvieɪt/ – to make something less severe or more bearable
- Disproportionately (adverb) – /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ – to a degree that is too large or too small in comparison with something else
- Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
- Mandate (verb) – /mænˈdeɪt/ – to officially require something
- Empower (verb) – /ɪmˈpaʊər/ – to give someone the authority or power to do something
- Comprehensive (adjective) – /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
Conclusion
The topic of government regulation on sugary drinks is a complex and nuanced issue that requires careful consideration of public health concerns and individual freedoms. As we’ve seen through these sample essays, there are various ways to approach this topic, each demonstrating different levels of language proficiency and analytical depth.
In future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, you might encounter similar topics related to government regulation of food and beverages, such as:
- Regulation of fast food advertising
- Mandatory nutrition labels on packaged foods
- Taxes on high-fat or high-sugar foods
- Government subsidies for healthy food options
To prepare for these potential topics, practice writing essays that balance different viewpoints, provide well-reasoned arguments, and offer nuanced conclusions. Remember to use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!