IELTS WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET 6

An agree and disagree essay

1 Read the following question.

Nowadays an increasing number of people are developing health problems as a result of eating too much fast food.
Governments should therefore impose a higher tax on this kind of food
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Write at least 250 words.

What do you have to do? A or B?

A Write about one side of the argument, explaining why you agree or disagree.
B Write about both sides of the argument and give your own view.

2 Read the candidate’s introduction. Do they agree or disagree with the statement, and to what extent? Underline the
part of the text that tells you.

These days more and more people are suffering from health problems such as diabetes and obesity, both of which
are linked to the consumption of fast food. Some people believe that the government should impose a higher tax on
such food. However, I strongly believe that making fast food more expensive would be quite wrong. In this essay
I will explain why.

3 Look at the points below. Which points support agreement and which support disagreement? Put A for Agreement or
D for Disagreement next to each one.
1 Home-cooked meals are generally healthier than fast food.
2 Imposing a tax would be especially unfair for young people.
3 Higher taxes on fast food could help reduce health problems such as obesity.
4 The taxes would provide extra revenue for the government.
5 Higher taxes might provide an incentive for manufacturers to produce healthier food.
6 It is not right to limit people’s personal freedom to eat the food they want.

Looking at both sides of the argument – Linking words

TIP
In order to present your points clearly in an agree/disagree essay, you should consider both sides of the argument. You
will need to use linking words to make it clear when you are introducing an idea which contrasts with what went before.
These linking words are underlined in Exercise 4.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment 2020 1

 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET 6

4 Match the points 1–6 in Exercise 3 with the endings A–F below. Write 1–6 at the end of each statement.
A ... but this is not always the case. While meals made using fresh ingredients in the kitchen are often thought
to be healthy, they can still contain large amounts of fat or sugar.
B ... although there is likely to be resistance from some producers. 
C However, it is important to remember that there are other factors connected to lifestyle which can
damage our health.
D ... despite the seriousness of the problem.
E ... but this money would not necessarily be used to tackle health problems.
F Nevertheless, I do understand those who say that restricting an individual’s freedom of choice is a small
price to pay and that immediate action is needed.

5 Which of the points in Exercise 3 do you agree and disagree with? Can you add your own ideas?

6 The phrases in the box below can be used to introduce the points that you agree with. Look back at the statements you
chose in Exercise 3. Write a new sentence for each of these statements, beginning with one of the phrases in the box.
Example: I strongly believe that imposing a tax on fast food would discriminate against certain people. These include
students who may not have very much money to spend.

I (strongly/firmly) believe/think/take the view that …

Furthermore, it is important to remember that …
Finally, it is certainly/undoubtedly true that …

7 The phrases in the box below can be used to introduce opinions that you don’t agree with. Look back at the list of
statements you disagreed with in Exercise 3. Write a new sentence for each of these statements, beginning with one
of the phrases in the box.

On the other hand, I do understand the point of view of those who say that …
They think/feel/believe/argue/claim that …
They put forward the view that …

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment 2020 2

 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET 6

8 Write the correct linking words from Exercise 4 in the spaces below to complete the rules.
1
It is used to introduce a contrasting idea.
It can go at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle.
It is followed by a noun.
2
It is used to contrast two ideas in the same sentence.
It can go at the beginning of a sentence or in the middle.
If it goes at the beginning of a sentence, there is a comma in the middle.
3
It is used to contrast two ideas in the same sentence.
It goes in the middle of the sentence.
4
It is used to contrast ideas in two different sentences.
It usually goes at the beginning of the second sentence.
It is immediately followed by a comma.

9 Read paragraphs 2–4 of the candidate’s answer below. Ignore the gaps for now. Which of the main ideas in Exercise 3
do they mention?
First of all, fast food is not only about nutrition and calories. Many young people spend money on it not because they
need to do so 1 because this is how they choose to socialise. Why should the government interfere with their
personal freedom to enjoy themselves? As long as they eat such food in moderation, it should not be harmful. Another
important point is that such a tax may be ineffective. It is certainly the case that burgers and pizzas contain high amounts
of fat which can lead to weight gain. 2 , it is important to remember that obesity can be caused by other factors
such as lack of exercise. Furthermore, 3 home cooked food is generally thought to be healthy, this is not always
the case. Home-made pasta dishes, for example, are often made with creamy sauces which are high in calories.
On the other hand, I do understand the point of view of those who say that immediate action is needed. Taxing fast food
would perhaps encourage people to purchase healthier options. 4 , it is likely that such a tax would be resented by
consumers who believe the government has no right to tell them what they can and cannot eat.
In conclusion, 5 the seriousness of the health problems caused by eating fast food, imposing a tax will not
necessarily encourage people to follow healthier diets.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment 2020 3

 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET 6

10 Complete the gaps in the candidate’s text with a suitable linking word A–F. For some gaps, more than one word may
be possible. Write A–F in the gaps in the text in Exercise 9.
A although
B but
C while
D despite
E however
F nevertheless

11 Look back at your answers in Exercise 10. Which linking words require the use of commas after them?

12 Read the model answer. Then complete the checklist below. Underline examples in the answer where you can.
Model answer
These days more and more people are suffering from health problems such as diabetes and obesity, both of which are
linked to the consumption of fast food. Some people believe that the government should impose a higher tax on such food.
However, I strongly believe that making fast food more expensive would be quite wrong. In this essay I will explain why.
First of all, fast food is not only about nutrition and calories. Many young people spend money on it not because they need
to do so but because this is how they choose to socialise. Why should the government interfere with their personal freedom
to enjoy themselves? As long as they eat such food in moderation, it should not be harmful. Another important point is that
such a tax may be ineffective. It is certainly the case that burgers and pizzas contain high amounts of fat which can lead
to weight gain. However, it is important to remember that obesity can be caused by other factors such as lack of exercise.
Furthermore, although home cooked food is generally thought to be healthy, this is not always the case. Home-made pasta
dishes, for example, are often made with creamy sauces which are high in calories.
On the other hand, I do understand the point of view of those who say that immediate action is needed. Taxing fast food
would perhaps encourage people to purchase healthier options. Nevertheless, it is likely that such a tax would be resented
by consumers who believe the government has no right to tell them what they can and cannot eat.
In conclusion, despite the seriousness of the health problems caused by eating fast food, imposing a tax will not necessarily
encourage people to change their food habits and follow healthier diets.

(297 words)
Has the candidate …
1 organised their ideas into four paragraphs? Y N
2 paraphrased the question in the first paragraph? Y N
3 given their opinion in the first paragraph? Y N
4 considered both sides of the argument? Y N
5 used examples to support their points? Y N
6 used linking expressions? Y N
7 restated their opinion in the final paragraph? Y N
8 Written at least 250 words? Y N

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment 2020 4

 IELTS WRITING TASK 2 WORKSHEET 6

13 Write your own answer to the question in Exercise 1.

14 Complete the checklist in Exercise 12 for your answer.

15 Compare your answer to the model answer in Exercise 12.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment 2020 5