The topic of whether sports events should be sponsored by unhealthy products has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. Based on past trends and current societal concerns, this subject is likely to appear in future tests with moderate frequency. To help you prepare effectively, we’ll analyze a relevant question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Some people think that sports events should not be sponsored by unhealthy products like fast food and soft drinks. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to express your opinion on the sponsorship of sports events by companies that produce unhealthy products. The key aspects to consider are:
- The nature of sports events and their influence on society
- The impact of unhealthy products on public health
- The financial aspects of sports sponsorship
- The potential conflict between promoting sports and advertising unhealthy products
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
In today’s commercialized world, the sponsorship of sports events by companies producing unhealthy products like fast food and soft drinks has become increasingly common. While I acknowledge the financial benefits this brings to the sporting world, I largely disagree with this practice due to its potential negative impact on public health and the contradictory messages it sends.
The primary argument against such sponsorships is the conflicting message they convey. Sports events are supposed to promote physical activity, health, and well-being. However, when these events are sponsored by fast food chains or soft drink companies, it creates a paradoxical situation. Young athletes and spectators are bombarded with advertisements for products that are antithetical to the very essence of sports and healthy living. This contradiction can be particularly harmful to impressionable youth who may struggle to reconcile the importance of a healthy lifestyle with the ubiquitous presence of unhealthy food and drink brands at sporting events.
Moreover, these sponsorships can be seen as tacit endorsements of unhealthy eating habits. When popular athletes or teams are associated with such brands, it can lead to the normalization of consuming these products, potentially contributing to the ongoing obesity epidemic and related health issues. This is especially concerning given the global rise in lifestyle-related diseases, many of which are linked to poor dietary choices.
However, it is important to acknowledge the significant financial contributions these sponsorships make to the sports industry. Many sporting events, teams, and individual athletes rely heavily on sponsorship money to fund their activities. Eliminating this source of funding could potentially lead to reduced opportunities for athletes and fewer sporting events, which would be detrimental to both participants and fans.
A balanced approach might be to implement stricter regulations on how these products are advertised during sports events. For instance, sponsors could be required to promote their healthier product lines or to include prominent health warnings alongside their branding. Additionally, a portion of the sponsorship money could be mandated to fund public health initiatives or grassroots sports programs, thereby offsetting some of the negative impacts.
In conclusion, while the financial benefits of sponsorship by unhealthy product manufacturers are undeniable, the potential long-term health consequences and mixed messaging outweigh these advantages. A more responsible approach to sports sponsorship, focusing on promoting overall health and well-being, would be more beneficial for society in the long run.
Debate on sports sponsorship by unhealthy products
Band 6-7 Essay
The sponsorship of sports events by companies that produce unhealthy products like fast food and soft drinks is a controversial topic. While I understand the concerns about public health, I partially disagree with the idea that these sponsorships should be completely banned.
One of the main reasons I don’t fully agree with banning such sponsorships is the financial aspect. Many sports events, especially smaller ones or those in developing countries, rely heavily on sponsorship money. If we remove this source of funding, it could lead to fewer opportunities for athletes and less accessible sports events for fans. This could potentially reduce the overall promotion of sports and physical activity in society.
However, I do acknowledge the negative aspects of these sponsorships. When unhealthy products are associated with sports, it can send a confusing message, especially to young people. They might think it’s okay to consume these products regularly because they see them linked to their favorite athletes or teams. This could contribute to health problems like obesity and diabetes in the long run.
A possible solution could be to have stricter rules about how these products are advertised during sports events. For example, sponsors could be required to promote their healthier options or include clear health warnings with their advertisements. This way, we can keep the financial benefits of sponsorship while minimizing the negative health impact.
Another point to consider is that banning these sponsorships might not solve the underlying health issues. People’s food choices are influenced by many factors, not just sports sponsorships. Education about healthy eating and lifestyle choices might be a more effective way to improve public health.
In conclusion, while I understand the concerns about unhealthy product sponsorships in sports, I believe a complete ban is not the best solution. A more balanced approach, with better regulation and education, could help address health concerns while still allowing sports to benefit from sponsorship funding.
Band 5-6 Essay
In my opinion, I think sports events should not be sponsored by unhealthy products like fast food and soft drinks. I agree with this idea because it’s not good for people’s health.
First, sports are supposed to be healthy. When we see fast food ads in sports events, it’s confusing. Young people might think it’s okay to eat a lot of junk food because they see it in sports. This is bad because it can make people unhealthy.
Also, many people look up to athletes. If athletes are seen with unhealthy foods, fans might want to eat those foods too. This can cause health problems like getting fat or having heart problems.
However, I know that sports events need money. Sponsorships from big companies help pay for the events. Without this money, maybe there would be less sports events. This would be sad for people who like to watch sports.
Maybe a good idea is to have rules about what kinds of food can sponsor sports. For example, only healthy foods should be allowed to sponsor. Or if unhealthy foods sponsor, they should also have to show messages about eating healthy.
In conclusion, I think it’s better if sports events are not sponsored by unhealthy products. It’s important to encourage people to be healthy, especially through sports.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a sophisticated approach to the topic:
- Coherent structure: The essay has a clear introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion that summarizes the main points.
- In-depth analysis: It explores multiple aspects of the issue, including health impacts, financial considerations, and potential solutions.
- Advanced vocabulary: Uses phrases like “commercialized world,” “antithetical,” and “tacit endorsements.”
- Complex sentence structures: Employs a variety of sentence types, including complex and compound-complex sentences.
- Clear position: The writer’s stance is evident throughout the essay.
- Balanced view: While disagreeing overall, the essay acknowledges counterarguments.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay shows good writing skills with some room for improvement:
- Clear structure: The essay has a logical flow with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
- Relevant ideas: It covers key aspects of the topic, including financial and health considerations.
- Adequate vocabulary: Uses appropriate vocabulary with some less common words like “controversial” and “accessible.”
- Mix of sentence structures: Includes both simple and complex sentences.
- Visible position: The writer’s opinion is clear, though less consistently maintained than in the Band 8-9 essay.
- Some analysis: Offers some analysis, but less in-depth compared to the higher band essay.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates basic writing skills with several areas for improvement:
- Simple structure: Has a basic introduction, body, and conclusion, but less developed.
- Limited ideas: Covers some relevant points but lacks depth and detail.
- Basic vocabulary: Uses mostly common words and phrases.
- Simple sentences: Primarily uses simple sentence structures.
- Opinion stated: The writer’s position is clear but not well-supported.
- Minimal analysis: Offers basic reasons for opinions without in-depth exploration.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Sponsorship (noun) /ˈspɒn.sə.ʃɪp/ – financial support for an event, activity, or organization
- Endorse (verb) /ɪnˈdɔːs/ – to publicly support or approve of something
- Ubiquitous (adjective) /juːˈbɪk.wɪ.təs/ – seeming to be everywhere
- Antithetical (adjective) /ˌæn.tɪˈθet.ɪ.kəl/ – completely opposite or opposed
- Paradoxical (adjective) /ˌpær.əˈdɒk.sɪ.kəl/ – seeming impossible or contradictory, but potentially true
- Normalization (noun) /ˌnɔː.məl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ – the process of making something become or seem normal
- Detrimental (adjective) /ˌdet.rɪˈmen.təl/ – causing harm or damage
- Grassroots (adjective) /ˈɡrɑːs.ruːts/ – involving ordinary people, rather than leaders or experts
- Impressionable (adjective) /ɪmˈpreʃ.ən.ə.bəl/ – easily influenced or affected by others
- Tacit (adjective) /ˈtæs.ɪt/ – understood or implied without being stated directly
In conclusion, the topic of sports sponsorship by unhealthy products is complex and multifaceted. As you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The role of advertising in promoting unhealthy lifestyles
- Government regulation of food and beverage marketing
- Corporate responsibility in public health issues
- The impact of celebrity endorsements on consumer behavior
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Feel free to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners.
