TOEFL TPO -1 Writing Task 2 Sample: Professor Today we’re going to discuss whether the government should tax unhealthy products, such as sugary drinks and junk food. On one hand, taxing these products could discourage people from consuming them and reduce health problems. On the other hand, some argue that such taxes unfairly target lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. If you had to choose, would you support or oppose taxing unhealthy products? Why? Sam I support the idea of taxing unhealthy products. These products are often high in sugar, salt, and fat, which can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As you said, by taxing these products, the government can discourage people from consuming them and resolve some of these health issues. Moreover, the revenue generated from such taxes can be used to fund advertising campaigns that promote healthy eating habits. Advertising campaigns that encourage healthy lifestyles can have a major impact on the overall wellbeing of society in the long run. Tanya I disagree. I believe that such taxes are unfair to families that don’t have a lot of money. Wealthy people will not care about the taxes and their habits won’t change. Additionally, if these taxes are implemented some people might try to save money by purchasing lower-quality products that are cheaper in the first place. That means they could suffer even more health problems. In time, we might become even more unhealthy. There are better solutions to this problem than new taxes.
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Older TOEFL Format
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Task Overview
Question
Professor Today we’re going to discuss whether the government should tax unhealthy products, such as sugary drinks and junk food. On one hand, taxing these products could discourage people from consuming them and reduce health problems. On the other hand, some argue that such taxes unfairly target lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. If you had to choose, would you support or oppose taxing unhealthy products? Why? Sam I support the idea of taxing unhealthy products. These products are often high in sugar, salt, and fat, which can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As you said, by taxing these products, the government can discourage people from consuming them and resolve some of these health issues. Moreover, the revenue generated from such taxes can be used to fund advertising campaigns that promote healthy eating habits. Advertising campaigns that encourage healthy lifestyles can have a major impact on the overall wellbeing of society in the long run. Tanya I disagree. I believe that such taxes are unfair to families that don’t have a lot of money. Wealthy people will not care about the taxes and their habits won’t change. Additionally, if these taxes are implemented some people might try to save money by purchasing lower-quality products that are cheaper in the first place. That means they could suffer even more health problems. In time, we might become even more unhealthy. There are better solutions to this problem than new taxes.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
The debate over whther the government should tax unhealthy products has generated attention from Sam and Tanya. In my opinion, the government is supposed to tax unhealth products. As mentioned by Sam, unhealthy eating habits can be disencouraged by the tax policy, because less people are willing to buy more expensive junk food. As a result, there would be more people devoted to consuming healthy products, which contributed to a society of wellbeing. To elaborate further, it is critical for younger generation, since the tax policy acts as a way to educate them to cultivate healthy living habits from which they will be benefited for the whole life. In addition, I'd like to add that taxing unhealth products is pushing the whole food industry to change. In many countries, drinks with extra sugar and junk food have gained significant market shares without contraints from the government, which harms not only individuals, but also the industry's ecosystem. It is time to change it and fight for a more healthier industry.
Evaluation Result
1.Sub Scores
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Task fulfillment: 3
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Organization: 3
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Coherence and Cohesion: 3
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Language Use: 3
2.Estimated Scores
- TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Score: 20
3.Task completeness The essay addresses the task of discussing whether the government should tax unhealthy products. However, it could be improved by providing more specific examples and a deeper analysis of the arguments presented by Sam and Tanya. The essay also lacks a clear conclusion that summarizes the main points and provides a final perspective on the issue.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Include specific examples to support your arguments.
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Analyze both sides of the debate more thoroughly.
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Write a clear conclusion that summarizes your main points and provides a final perspective on the issue.
Examples in English:
- "For instance, a study conducted in Mexico showed that after implementing a sugar tax, consumption of sugary drinks decreased by 12%, leading to an overall improvement in public health."
- "On the other hand, Tanya's argument about lower-income families being disproportionately affected by such taxes can be addressed by using revenue from these taxes to subsidize healthier food options for these families."
4.Essay structure and organization The essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, it could be improved in terms of organization and coherence. The body paragraphs should focus on specific points related to Sam's and Tanya's arguments while providing supporting details. Clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs are also needed.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Organize your body paragraphs more effectively with clear topic sentences.
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Provide supporting details for each point made.
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Use transitions between ideas and paragraphs to improve coherence.
Examples in English:
- "To address Sam's argument, taxing unhealthy products can indeed lead to reduced consumption. According to research conducted by XYZ University, after implementing a junk food tax in their city, there was a 10% decrease in the consumption of unhealthy products."
- "However, Tanya raises a valid concern about the potential negative impact on lower-income families. One possible solution to this issue is to use the revenue generated from these taxes to provide subsidies for healthier food options, ensuring that these families have access to affordable and nutritious meals."
5. Grammar
The debate over whtherwhether(misspelling) the government should tax unhealthy products has generated attention from Sam and Tanya. In my opinion, the government is supposed to tax unhealthunhealthy(misspelling) products.
As mentioned by Sam, unhealthy eating habits can be disencourageddiscouraged(Check for wrong words/phrases: disencouraged) by the tax policy, because lessfewer(fewer with countable nouns (less)) people are willing to buy more expensive junk food. As a result, there would be more people devoted to consuming healthy products, which contributed to a society of wellbeing. To elaborate further, it is critical for younger generation, since the tax policy acts as a way to educate them to cultivate healthy living habits from which they will be benefited for the whole life.
In addition, I'd like to add that taxing unhealthunhealthy(misspelling) products is pushing the whole food industry to change. In many countries, drinks with extra sugar and junk food have gained significant market shares without contraintsconstraints(misspelling) from the government, which harms not only individuals, but also the industry's ecosystem. It is time to change it and fight for a more healthierhealthier(No 'more' or 'most' before comparatives) industry.
6.Revised Essay
The debate over whether the government should tax unhealthy products has generated attention from various perspectives, including those of Sam and Tanya. In my opinion, the government should indeed implement taxes on unhealthy products to promote a healthier society and encourage positive changes within the food industry.
Sam argues that taxing unhealthy products can discourage people from consuming them, ultimately reducing health problems associated with high sugar, salt, and fat content. By increasing the prices of these items, consumers may be more inclined to choose healthier alternatives. This shift in consumption patterns can contribute to a decrease in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates. Furthermore, revenue generated from these taxes can be utilized to fund advertising campaigns promoting healthy eating habits. Such campaigns have the potential to create a significant impact on society's overall well-being in the long run.
For instance, a study conducted in Mexico showed that after implementing a sugar tax, consumption of sugary drinks decreased by 12%, leading to an overall improvement in public health. This example demonstrates how taxation can effectively reduce unhealthy consumption and promote better health outcomes.
On the other hand, Tanya raises concerns about the fairness of such taxes for lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. She argues that wealthier individuals may not be affected by these taxes and that their habits are unlikely to change. Additionally, she posits that some people might opt for even lower-quality products to save money if taxes are implemented on unhealthy items.
To address Tanya's concerns regarding lower-income families being disproportionately affected by such taxes, one possible solution is using revenue generated from these taxes to subsidize healthier food options for these families. By doing so, we can ensure that they have access to affordable and nutritious meals while still discouraging unhealthy consumption habits.
Moreover, taxing unhealthy products can push the entire food industry towards positive change. In many countries, sugary drinks and junk food have gained significant market shares without constraints from the government, harming not only individuals but also the industry's ecosystem. Implementing taxes on unhealthy products can incentivize companies to develop and promote healthier alternatives, ultimately contributing to a more balanced and sustainable food industry.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns regarding the potential negative impact of taxing unhealthy products on lower-income families, these issues can be addressed through targeted subsidies and support programs. The benefits of such taxes, including promoting healthier consumption habits, improving public health outcomes, and encouraging positive changes within the food industry, outweigh the potential drawbacks. Therefore, I support the implementation of taxes on unhealthy products as a means to create a healthier society for all. (446 words)
7.Essay Grading
The debate over whther whether the government should tax unhealthy products has generated attention from various perspectives, including those of Sam and Tanya. (This sentence introduces the topic and mentions the two opposing viewpoints.) In my opinion, the government is supposed to tax unhealth products. should indeed implement taxes on unhealthy products to promote a healthier society and encourage positive changes within the food industry. (This sentence clearly states the writer's position on the issue.)
As mentioned by Sam, unhealthy eating habits can be disencouraged by the tax policy, because less Sam argues that taxing unhealthy products can discourage people are willing to buy more expensive junk food. As a result, there would from consuming them, ultimately reducing health problems associated with high sugar, salt, and fat content. (This sentence summarizes Sam's argument.) By increasing the prices of these items, consumers may be more inclined to choose healthier alternatives. (This sentence explains how taxes can influence consumer behavior.) This shift in consumption patterns can contribute to a decrease in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease rates. (This sentence highlights potential health benefits.) Furthermore, revenue generated from these taxes can be utilized to fund advertising campaigns promoting healthy eating habits. (This sentence introduces another benefit of taxing unhealthy products.) Such campaigns have the potential to create a significant impact on society's overall well-being in the long run. (This sentence emphasizes the long-term effects of these campaigns.)
For instance, a study conducted in Mexico showed that after implementing a sugar tax, consumption of sugary drinks decreased by 12%, leading to an overall improvement in public health. (This sentence provides a specific example supporting Sam's argument.) This example demonstrates how taxation can effectively reduce unhealthy consumption and promote better health outcomes.
On the other hand, Tanya raises concerns about the fairness of such taxes for lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. (This sentence summarizes Tanya's argument.) She argues that wealthier individuals may not be affected by these taxes and that their habits are unlikely to change. (This sentence further explains Tanya's viewpoint.) Additionally, she posits that some people devoted to consuming healthy products, which contributed to a society of wellbeing. might opt for even lower-quality products to save money if taxes are implemented on unhealthy items. (This sentence presents another potential issue with taxing unhealthy products.)
To elaborate further, it address Tanya's concerns regarding lower-income families being disproportionately affected by such taxes, one possible solution is critical using revenue generated from these taxes to subsidize healthier food options for younger generation, since the tax policy acts as a way to educate them to cultivate healthy living habits from which these families. (This sentence offers a solution to the problem Tanya raises.) By doing so, we can ensure that they will be benefited for the whole life. have access to affordable and nutritious meals while still discouraging unhealthy consumption habits. (This sentence explains the benefits of the proposed solution.)
In addition, I'd like to add that Moreover, taxing unhealth products is pushing the whole unhealthy products can push the entire food industry to towards positive change. (This sentence introduces a new argument in favor of taxing unhealthy products.) In many countries, sugary drinks with extra sugar and junk food have gained significant market shares without contraints constraints from the government, which harms harming not only individuals, individuals but also the industry's ecosystem. It is time to change it and fight (This sentence provides context for the current state of the food industry.) Implementing taxes on unhealthy products can incentivize companies to develop and promote healthier alternatives, ultimately contributing to a more balanced and sustainable food industry. (This sentence explains how taxes can influence industry behavior.)
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns regarding the potential negative impact of taxing unhealthy products on lower-income families, these issues can be addressed through targeted subsidies and support programs. (This sentence acknowledges Tanya's concerns while reiterating the proposed solution.) The benefits of such taxes, including promoting healthier industry.consumption habits, improving public health outcomes, and encouraging positive changes within the food industry, outweigh the potential drawbacks. (This sentence summarizes the main arguments in favor of taxing unhealthy products.) Therefore, I support the implementation of taxes on unhealthy products as a means to create a healthier society for all. (This sentence restates the writer's position and provides a strong conclusion.)
8.Mind Map
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Thesis statement: Implement taxes on unhealthy products to promote a healthier society and encourage positive changes within the food industry.
- Topic sentence 1: Taxing unhealthy products can discourage consumption and reduce health problems.
- Sub-topic: Shift in consumption patterns
- Supporting example: Mexico's sugar tax
- Topic sentence 2: Address concerns about fairness for lower-income families through targeted subsidies and support programs.
- Sub-topic: Using revenue for healthier food options
- Supporting example: Subsidizing nutritious meals
- Topic sentence 3: Taxing unhealthy products can push the food industry towards positive change.
- Sub-topic: Incentivizing companies to develop healthier alternatives
- Supporting example: Balanced and sustainable food industry
- Topic sentence 1: Taxing unhealthy products can discourage consumption and reduce health problems.
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Conclusion: Benefits of taxing unhealthy products outweigh potential drawbacks, leading to a healthier society for all.
9.Key Words
| Words | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English Definitions | Sample Sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| implement | /ˈɪmplɪmənt/ | verb | To put into effect; carry out | The government should implement taxes on unhealthy products. |
| consumption | /kənˈsʌm(p)ʃ(ə)n/ | noun | The act of using up resources or consuming goods | Taxing unhealthy products can discourage their consumption. |
| subsidy | /ˈsʌbsɪdi/ | noun | Financial assistance provided by the government | Revenue from taxes could be used to provide subsidies for healthy foods. |
| incentive | /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/ | noun | Something that motivates or encourages action | Taxes on unhealthy products can create incentives for companies to develop healthier alternatives. |
| disproportionate | /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃ(ə)nət/ | adjective | Out of proportion; unequal in size or importance | Lower-income families may be disproportionately affected by such taxes. |
| ecosystem | /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ | noun | A complex network of interconnected elements | The food industry's ecosystem has been negatively impacted by the prevalence of unhealthy products. |
| revenue | /ˈrɛv(ə)njʊ/ | noun | Income generated from taxes or other sources | The government can use the revenue from these taxes to fund health programs. |
| wellbeing | /wɛlˈbiːɪŋ/ | noun | The state of being healthy, happy, and comfortable | Promoting healthy eating habits can have a major impact on society's overall wellbeing. |
| constraint | /kənˈstreɪnt/ | noun | A limitation or restriction | Sugary drinks and junk food have gained market shares without constraints from the government. |
| sustainable | _ /səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l/_ | _ adjective_ | _ Capable of being maintained at a steady level_ | _ Implementing taxes on unhealthy products can contribute to a more sustainable food industry._ |
10.Additional Examples
- In Denmark, a tax on saturated fats led to a decrease in consumption and an increase in demand for healthier alternatives.
- Sub-opinion: Taxes can change consumer preferences.
- Explanation: Consumers may choose healthier options when faced with higher prices for unhealthy products.
- New York City's ban on trans fats in restaurants led to a significant reduction in heart attack and stroke rates.
- Sub-opinion: Government intervention can improve public health.
- Explanation: Regulations on unhealthy ingredients can lead to better health outcomes for the population.
- In the United Kingdom, a sugar tax on soft drinks resulted in companies reformulating their products to reduce sugar content.
- Sub-opinion: Taxes can encourage product reformulation.
- Explanation: Companies may choose to modify their products to avoid taxes and maintain consumer demand.
- In Philadelphia, revenue from a soda tax was used to fund pre-kindergarten programs and improvements to parks and recreation centers.
- Sub-opinion: Tax revenue can be used for social programs.
- Explanation: The funds generated from taxing unhealthy products can be invested in initiatives that benefit the community.
- In Australia, cigarette taxes have contributed to a decline in smoking rates and an increase in public awareness about the dangers of smoking.
- Sub-opinion: Taxes on unhealthy products can lead to increased awareness of health risks.
- Explanation: Higher prices and public campaigns funded by taxes can encourage individuals to reconsider their consumption habits.
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