Some people think that governments should do more to make their citizens eat a healthy diet. Others believe that individuals must take responsibility for their own diet and health.

Practice this IELTS Writing Task 2 question on IELTSX. Some people think that governments should do more to make their citizens eat a healthy diet. Others believe that individuals must take responsibility for their own diet and health.

Government role in encouraging a healthy diet versus individual responsibility for health - IELTS Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 7 ยท 314 words.

In recent years, maintaining a healthy diet has become a highly debated issue that affects various aspects of modern society. Some people strongly believe that the government should do more to encourage citizens to adopt healthier dietary habits, while others argue that individuals should take responsibility for their own diet and health. This essay will carefully examine both perspectives before explaining why I firmly believe that individuals should take responsibility rather than relying primarily on government intervention.

Those who support greater government intervention argue that the government should increase the availability of healthy food products. What truly drives this perspective is the need to make nutrient-dense foods more accessible to the public. This is largely because such foods can improve metabolic health, thereby helping people maintain a balanced diet. A clear example of this can be seen in countries where governments impose higher taxes on processed foods and promote healthier alternatives. This can give rise to a population that is more likely to maintain healthy dietary habits.

On the other hand, opponents of this view contend that individuals should take responsibility for their own diet and well-being. Chief among the reasons for this perspective is that personal responsibility plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy diet, rather than relying solely on government taxation. This is primarily because individuals have direct control over their dietary choices, thereby enabling them to reduce their consumption of unhealthy products. For instance, people in Uzbekistan can choose to limit their consumption of processed foods regardless of government policies. Should this pattern persist, the risk of chronic diseases will increase.

In conclusion, while proponents of greater government intervention make a valid point regarding the reduction in the sale of processed foods, I am firmly convinced that individuals should take greater responsibility for their own diet and well-being, as this is more likely to produce sustainable long-term benefits for society.

Examiner feedback

The essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the task, maintaining a consistent position while addressing both perspectives. The language is generally sophisticated and grammatically controlled, earning a solid Band 7 across all criteria.

Task Response - 7

- Addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views and giving a clear position. - Presents main ideas and supports them, though some explanations rely on circular phrasing rather than deep elaboration. - Maintains a clear position throughout the essay.

Coherence & Cohesion - 7

- Paragraph organization is logical with clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. - Cohesive devices are used, but some transitions feel mechanical or repetitive ('What truly drives this perspective', 'Chief among the reasons'). - Overall progression is clear and there is a consistent central topic within each paragraph.

Lexical Resource - 7

- Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary allowing flexibility and precision (e.g., 'nutrient-dense', 'metabolic health'). - Uses less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation. - Occasional slightly unnatural phrasings, but they do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 7

- Uses a variety of complex structures with generally good control. - Produces frequent error-free sentences, though some sentences are a bit wordy. - Good punctuation control and sentence boundary awareness.

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