The topic of imposing a sugar tax on sweetened beverages has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and past exam questions, it is highly likely that this subject will continue to appear in future tests. The frequency of this topic reflects growing global concerns about public health and obesity rates. To help you prepare, we’ll analyze a relevant question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Should there be a tax on sugary drinks to reduce obesity rates? This question has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams, making it an excellent topic to practice. Let’s examine a specific prompt and explore how to approach it effectively.
Analyzing the Question
Some people think that governments should impose a higher tax on foods and drinks with high sugar content to solve the problem of obesity. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This question requires you to express your opinion on whether increased taxation of high-sugar foods and drinks is an effective solution to the obesity problem. Key points to consider:
- The main issue: Obesity
- Proposed solution: Higher taxes on high-sugar foods and drinks
- Your task: Agree or disagree and explain your position
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Obesity has become a global health crisis, prompting some to suggest that governments should increase taxes on high-sugar foods and beverages as a potential solution. While I acknowledge the good intentions behind this proposal, I largely disagree with this approach as I believe it is an oversimplified solution to a complex problem.
Firstly, imposing higher taxes on sugary products may not effectively address the root causes of obesity. The condition is often the result of various factors, including sedentary lifestyles, genetic predisposition, and overall poor dietary habits. Simply making sugary foods more expensive does not guarantee that people will make healthier choices or become more physically active. Instead, it may lead to individuals seeking alternative, equally unhealthy food options that are not subject to the tax.
Moreover, such a tax could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals and families. For many, sugary foods and drinks are often cheaper alternatives to healthier options. Increasing their cost without addressing the affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods may create additional financial burdens for those already struggling to make ends meet. This could potentially exacerbate existing health inequalities rather than alleviating them.
However, I do believe that governments have a role to play in combating obesity. Rather than relying solely on taxation, a more comprehensive approach is needed. This could include investing in public education programs to promote nutritional literacy, improving access to affordable healthy foods in underserved communities, and creating environments that encourage physical activity. Additionally, working with food manufacturers to reformulate products and reduce sugar content voluntarily could be a more collaborative and effective strategy.
In conclusion, while the intention behind taxing high-sugar foods and drinks is understandable, I disagree that it is the most effective solution to obesity. A multifaceted approach that addresses the various contributing factors to obesity and promotes overall health and well-being would likely yield better results in the long term. Governments should focus on education, accessibility, and collaboration rather than punitive measures to create lasting change in public health.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Obesity is a big problem in many countries, and some people think that the government should put higher taxes on sugary foods and drinks to solve this issue. I partly agree with this idea, but I also think there are some problems with it.
One reason why I agree with higher taxes on sugary products is that it might make people buy less of them. If sugary drinks and snacks become more expensive, some people might choose healthier options instead. This could help reduce obesity rates, especially among young people who often consume a lot of these products.
However, I don’t think this solution is perfect. One problem is that it might not be fair to everyone. Poor people might be affected more by the higher prices, while rich people can still afford to buy whatever they want. Also, some people might just switch to other unhealthy foods that don’t have the extra tax.
I believe that the government should do more than just increase taxes. They should also focus on educating people about healthy eating and exercise. Schools could teach children about nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. The government could also make sure that healthy foods are more available and affordable for everyone.
Another important point is that food companies should be encouraged to make their products healthier. If they use less sugar in their foods and drinks, it could help reduce obesity without needing to raise prices.
In conclusion, I think that higher taxes on sugary foods and drinks might help a little bit with the obesity problem, but it’s not enough on its own. The government needs to use a combination of methods, including education, making healthy food more available, and working with food companies to create healthier products. Only by doing all of these things together can we really hope to solve the obesity problem.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Obesity is a big health problem now. Some people say the government should make sugary foods and drinks more expensive to fix this. I think this is a good idea, but it might not work perfectly.
Making sugary things cost more could help. If soda and candy are expensive, maybe people will buy less. This could make people healthier and less fat. It’s good for kids too, because they eat a lot of sugar.
But there are some problems with this idea. Poor people might have trouble buying food if prices go up. Rich people can still buy what they want. Also, some people might just buy other unhealthy food instead.
I think the government should do more things to help. They should teach people about eating healthy food. Schools can show kids how to eat well. The government can also make healthy food cheaper and easier to find.
Food companies should make healthier food too. If they use less sugar, it can help people be less fat without making food more expensive.
To finish, I think making sugary food cost more might help a little bit with obesity. But the government needs to do many things to really fix the problem. They should teach people, make healthy food easier to get, and work with food companies. All these things together can help solve the obesity problem.
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position
- Presents well-developed ideas with logical organization
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately
- Demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures with flexibility and accuracy
- Contains minimal errors and effective use of cohesive devices
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others
- Presents relevant main ideas but some may be inadequately developed
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary with some inaccuracies
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors
- Has adequate organization but may lack overall progression
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but the development may be limited, repetitive or unclear
- Uses limited range of vocabulary; errors may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Uses only a limited range of structures with some accuracy
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Obesity (noun) – /əʊˈbiːsəti/ – the state of being very fat or overweight
- Taxation (noun) – /tækˈseɪʃən/ – the act of levying a tax
- Disproportionately (adverb) – /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ – to a degree that is too large or too small in comparison with something else
- Sedentary (adjective) – /ˈsed.ən.ter.i/ – characterized by much sitting and little physical activity
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæs.ə.beɪt/ – to make a problem or bad situation worse
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Punitive (adjective) – /ˈpjuː.nə.tɪv/ – intended as punishment
- Nutritional literacy (noun phrase) – /njuːˈtrɪʃənəl ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to understand and use nutrition information
- Reformulate (verb) – /ˌriːˈfɔːmjuleɪt/ – to change or improve something by making small changes
- Comprehensive (adjective) – /ˌkɒm.prɪˈhen.sɪv/ – including everything that is necessary; complete
In conclusion, the topic of sugar tax on sweetened beverages is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of government in regulating food industry practices
- Alternative solutions to combat rising obesity rates
- The impact of food pricing on public health
- Balancing personal freedom with public health concerns
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and fully address all parts of the question. We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam.