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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Obesity Agree Disagree Sample Band 9

IELTS Writing Task 2 obesity agree disagree sample answers with scoring breakdowns. Achieve Band 9 with expert strategies and model responses.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Obesity Agree Disagree Sample Band 9 | English AIdol Blog

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IELTS Writing Task 2 obesity agree disagree sample answers with scoring breakdowns. Achieve Band 9 with expert strategies and model responses.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Obesity (Agree Disagree) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Paraphrased Prompt: Many countries are experiencing severe obesity problems. Some people believe that the government should take responsibility for tackling this issue. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Give relevant examples and support your answer.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

The government should do more to fight obesity. Governments should ban unhealthy foods like chips and sugary drinks. Also, they must start putting warnings about obesity on all junk food packages. Schools should teach students how to cook healthy meals. These are good ways to help people lose weight and stay healthy. Many people are fat because they eat too much junk food. If the government does these things, people will eat less junk food and more fruits and vegetables. This will make people healthier. Also, governments should make people exercise more. They can build more parks and gyms so people can exercise. If the government does all these things, obesity will decrease.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): Band 5 - Presents a position but with limited development and support.
  • Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Band 6 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear connections.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Band 5 - Limited range of vocabulary with some errors and repetition.
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Band 6 - Frequent grammatical errors but meaning is generally clear.

Band 7.0 Answer

Obesity is a growing problem in many countries, and while personal responsibility plays a role, governments should take a more active stance in combating this issue. The primary reason is that governments have the resources and authority to implement large-scale solutions. For instance, they can regulate the advertisement of unhealthy foods, especially those targeted at children. Many studies have shown that such advertisements contribute significantly to childhood obesity. Additionally, governments can subsidize healthy foods to make them more affordable for low-income families, who often rely on cheaper, unhealthy options. However, it is important to note that government intervention should not replace personal responsibility but should complement it. By creating an environment that promotes healthy eating and regular exercise, governments can significantly reduce obesity rates.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): Band 7 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and some extended support.
  • Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Band 7 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Band 7 - Adequate range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Band 7 - Some errors but generally accurate and varied sentence structures.

Band 8.0 Answer

The escalating obesity epidemic in many countries necessitates robust governmental intervention. While personal responsibility is undeniably important, the scope and scale of the problem demand a more comprehensive approach that only governments can provide. First and foremost, governments should implement stricter regulations on the marketing and sale of unhealthy foods. For example, the UK's sugar tax has been effective in reducing sugar consumption among children. Furthermore, governments can invest in public health campaigns that educate citizens about the benefits of a balanced diet and regular exercise. These campaigns can be particularly impactful if tailored to different demographic groups. Additionally, urban planning can play a crucial role. By designing cities that prioritize walkability and provide easy access to recreational facilities, governments can encourage more physical activity. However, it is essential to strike a balance between regulation and personal choice to avoid unintended consequences.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): Band 8 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and extended support.
  • Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Band 8 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Band 8 - Adequate range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items used appropriately.
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Band 8 - Some errors but generally accurate and varied sentence structures.

Band 9.0 Answer

The burgeoning obesity crisis in many countries has sparked a heated debate about the role of governments in addressing this public health issue. While proponents of personal responsibility argue that individuals should be solely accountable for their health, the multifaceted nature of obesity necessitates a more nuanced approach. Governments have a unique capacity to implement policies that create an enabling environment for healthy living. For instance, Singapore's comprehensive approach, which includes regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods, public health campaigns, and the provision of recreational facilities, has been highly effective in curbing obesity rates. Moreover, governments can leverage their resources to subsidize healthy foods and provide affordable healthcare services, thereby reducing the financial barriers to a healthy lifestyle. However, it is crucial to ensure that these interventions are evidence-based and culturally sensitive. A one-size-fits-all approach is likely to be ineffective and could potentially exacerbate health disparities. By adopting a holistic and tailored strategy, governments can play a pivotal role in mitigating the obesity epidemic while respecting individual autonomy.

Scoring Breakdown:

  • Task Response (TR): Band 9 - Presents a clear position with relevant examples and extended support.
  • Coherence & Cohesion (CC): Band 9 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Band 9 - Adequate range of vocabulary with less common lexical items used appropriately and flexibly.
  • Grammatical Range & Accuracy (GRA): Band 9 - Some minor errors but generally accurate and varied sentence structures.

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Escalating (adjective): Increasing in intensity or severity.
  • Example: The escalating obesity epidemic.
  1. Epidemic (noun): A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
  • Example: The burgeoning obesity crisis.
  1. Necessitate (verb): Make something necessary as a result or consequence.
  • Example: The scope and scale of the problem necessitate a more comprehensive approach.
  1. Robust (adjective): Strong and healthy; vigorous.
  • Example: Robust governmental intervention.
  1. Implement (verb): Put a plan, law, or system into effect.
  • Example: Governments should implement stricter regulations.
  1. Comprehensive (adjective): Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.
  • Example: A comprehensive approach.
  1. Subsidize (verb): Support (an organization or activity) financially.
  • Example: Governments can subsidize healthy foods.
  1. Impactful (adjective): Having a major impact.
  • Example: These campaigns can be particularly impactful.
  1. Urban planning (noun): The design and regulation of the use of space in urban environments.
  • Example: Urban planning can play a crucial role.
  1. Walkability (noun): The ease and pleasantness of walking in a particular area.
  • Example: Designing cities that prioritize walkability.
  1. Encourage (verb): Give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
  • Example: Governments can encourage more physical activity.
  1. Strike a balance (idiom): To achieve a compromise or equilibrium.
  • Example: It is essential to strike a balance between regulation and personal choice.
  1. Tailored (adjective): Made or adapted for a particular purpose or person.
  • Example: Campaigns tailored to different demographic groups.
  1. Holistic (adjective): Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
  • Example: A holistic and tailored strategy.
  1. Mitigate (verb): Make less severe, serious, or painful.
  • Example: Governments can play a pivotal role in mitigating the obesity epidemic.

Common Mistakes Students Make

  1. Overgeneralization: Making broad statements without sufficient support or examples.
  2. Lack of Clarity: Failing to present a clear position or argument.
  3. Repetition: Repeating the same ideas or vocabulary without adding new information.
  4. Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical errors that obscure meaning.
  5. Poor Organization: Presenting ideas in a disjointed or illogical manner.

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