The topic of government regulation of fast food advertising is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. It touches on important issues such as public health, corporate responsibility, and government intervention, making it a relevant and thought-provoking subject for test-takers. Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, we expect this topic to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s examine a specific question that has appeared in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that governments should ban harmful fast food while others believe this is a matter of personal choice and responsibility. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that governments should ban harmful fast food
- Discuss the opposing view that it’s a matter of personal choice and responsibility
- Provide their own opinion on the issue
It’s crucial to address all parts of the question to achieve a high band score. Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores to understand how to approach this task effectively.
Sample Essay for Band 8
Fast food consumption has become a contentious issue in many countries, with some advocating for government intervention while others argue for personal freedom. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of government bans on harmful fast food argue that such measures are necessary to protect public health. They contend that the obesity epidemic and related health issues are largely fueled by the widespread availability and aggressive marketing of unhealthy fast food options. By imposing restrictions, governments can potentially reduce the consumption of these harmful products and alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. Moreover, advocates argue that many individuals, especially children, are vulnerable to the persuasive tactics employed by fast food companies, necessitating government intervention to safeguard their well-being.
On the other hand, those who oppose such bans believe that food choices should remain a matter of personal responsibility. They argue that government interference in dietary decisions infringes on individual freedoms and may set a dangerous precedent for further restrictions in other areas of life. Additionally, critics contend that education and awareness campaigns are more effective long-term solutions than outright bans. They emphasize the importance of empowering individuals to make informed choices about their diet and lifestyle.
In my opinion, while I recognize the concerns about public health, I believe that banning fast food is an overly simplistic and potentially counterproductive approach. Instead, I advocate for a balanced strategy that combines education, improved food labeling, and restrictions on advertising to minors. This approach respects individual choice while providing the necessary tools and information for people to make healthier decisions. Furthermore, governments should focus on addressing the underlying socioeconomic factors that often contribute to poor dietary habits, such as food deserts and lack of access to affordable, nutritious alternatives.
In conclusion, while the debate over fast food regulation is complex, I believe that a nuanced approach focusing on education and targeted interventions is more likely to yield positive results than outright bans. By empowering individuals with knowledge and creating an environment that supports healthy choices, societies can address the fast food issue more effectively and sustainably.
(Word count: 345)
Fast food advertising regulation debate
Band 8 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and fully addresses all parts of the question, warranting a Band 8 score. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay thoroughly discusses both viewpoints and clearly presents the writer’s opinion. It provides relevant examples and fully develops ideas.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “Additionally”).
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Lexical Resource: The essay showcases a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately (e.g., “contentious issue”, “obesity epidemic”, “empowering individuals”).
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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).
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows nuanced thinking by proposing a balanced approach rather than simply choosing one side of the argument.
Sample Essay for Band 7
The issue of whether governments should ban harmful fast food or leave it to personal choice is widely debated. This essay will discuss both views and provide my opinion on the matter.
Those who support government intervention argue that it is necessary to protect public health. They believe that fast food companies prioritize profits over people’s well-being, leading to an increase in obesity and related health problems. By banning or restricting harmful fast food, governments could potentially reduce these health issues and decrease the strain on healthcare systems. Additionally, supporters argue that many people, especially children, are easily influenced by aggressive marketing tactics, making it difficult for them to make healthy choices without government protection.
On the other hand, opponents of government bans argue that food choices should be a matter of personal responsibility. They believe that people have the right to decide what they eat, and government interference in this area is an overreach of power. These individuals also point out that banning fast food could lead to job losses in the industry and potentially harm the economy. Instead of bans, they suggest that governments should focus on education and awareness campaigns to help people make informed decisions about their diet.
In my opinion, while I understand the concerns about public health, I believe that completely banning fast food is not the best solution. Instead, I think governments should take a balanced approach. This could include stricter regulations on food labeling, limits on advertising to children, and increased funding for nutrition education in schools. By providing people with better information and tools to make healthy choices, governments can address the issue without infringing on personal freedoms.
In conclusion, while the debate over fast food regulation is complex, I believe that a combination of targeted regulations and education is more effective than outright bans. This approach can help improve public health while still respecting individual choice and responsibility.
(Word count: 309)
Band 7 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates good writing skills and addresses all parts of the question, warranting a Band 7 score. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay discusses both viewpoints and presents the writer’s opinion. It provides relevant examples, though not as fully developed as the Band 8 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. It uses cohesive devices, though not as varied as the Band 8 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a good range of vocabulary, though not as sophisticated as the Band 8 essay (e.g., “prioritize profits”, “aggressive marketing tactics”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good accuracy.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows some nuanced thinking by proposing a balanced approach, though not as detailed as the Band 8 essay.
Sample Essay for Band 6
Some people think the government should stop companies from selling unhealthy fast food, but others say it’s up to each person to choose what they eat. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want the government to ban bad fast food say it’s important for keeping everyone healthy. They think fast food makes people fat and sick, which costs a lot of money for hospitals. They also say that fast food companies use tricks to make people buy more, especially kids who don’t know better. So, they believe the government needs to step in and stop this.
But other people say the government shouldn’t tell us what to eat. They think everyone should be free to choose their own food, even if it’s not healthy. They worry that if the government bans fast food, many people might lose their jobs. These people think it’s better to teach people about healthy eating instead of making rules about food.
I think both sides have good points, but I don’t agree with banning fast food completely. I believe the government should do some things to help, like making sure food labels are clear and stopping ads that target children. They should also teach more about healthy eating in schools. This way, people can still choose what they want to eat, but they’ll know more about making good choices.
In the end, I think it’s better to help people learn about healthy food than to ban fast food. The government can do some things to help, but they shouldn’t make all the decisions about what we can eat.
(Word count: 267)
Balanced approach to fast food regulation
Band 6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates adequate writing skills and addresses the main parts of the question, warranting a Band 6 score. Here’s why:
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Task Achievement: The essay covers both viewpoints and presents the writer’s opinion, but the ideas are not fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive.
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Lexical Resource: The essay uses a limited range of vocabulary, with some attempt at more sophisticated words (e.g., “tricks to make people buy more”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay mainly uses simple sentence structures with occasional attempts at more complex ones. There are some grammatical errors, but they don’t impede communication.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows some attempt at balanced thinking, but the ideas are not as nuanced or well-developed as in higher band score essays.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Regulation (noun) /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃən/ – an official rule made by a government or other authority
- Intervention (noun) /ˌɪntəˈvenʃən/ – the action of becoming involved in a situation in order to improve or help it
- Obesity epidemic (noun phrase) /əˈbiːsəti epɪˈdemɪk/ – the rapid increase in the number of people who are extremely overweight
- Public health (noun phrase) /ˈpʌblɪk helθ/ – the health of the population as a whole, especially as monitored by the government
- Personal responsibility (noun phrase) /ˈpɜːsənl rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – the idea that individuals are accountable for their own actions and well-being
- Aggressive marketing (noun phrase) /əˈɡresɪv ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ/ – forceful and competitive advertising strategies
- Socioeconomic factors (noun phrase) /ˌsəʊsioʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈfæktəz/ – social and economic elements that influence a person’s life
- Food labeling (noun phrase) /fuːd ˈleɪbəlɪŋ/ – the process of providing nutritional information on food packaging
- Counterproductive (adjective) /ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv/ – having the opposite of the desired effect
- Nuanced approach (noun phrase) /ˈnjuːɑːnst əˈprəʊtʃ/ – a careful and subtle way of dealing with a situation
In conclusion, the topic of government regulation of fast food advertising is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of education in promoting healthy eating habits
- The impact of fast food advertising on children’s health
- The effectiveness of government policies in combating obesity
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and develop your ideas fully. We encourage you to practice writing an 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 IELTS Writing skills and prepare for the exam.
