Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food

This guide explains how to approach IELTS Writing Task 2 questions about whether schools should discourage children from eating junk food. You will learn how to structure opinion and discussion essays, develop balanced arguments, use health-related vocabulary, and present logical reasoning to achieve a higher band score.

Keynote – Sample Answer Quick Overview

For this question, present balanced arguments about whether schools or parents should be responsible for discouraging junk food consumption among children. Make sure to analyze social, practical, and educational factors, and finish by clearly stating your own opinion about who (or whether both) should bear this responsibility.

Key Points to Remember:

• Address both school and parental roles with equal detail and logic

• Organize body paragraphs thematically: one for schools, one for parents (or shared responsibility)

• Support your points with real examples (e.g., school food policies, home environment, public health outcomes)

• Use topic-specific vocabulary (“social responsibility,” “enforce dietary guidelines,” “nutritional education”)

• Avoid vague language and one-sided views; develop and justify your opinion explicitly

• Link all your arguments clearly and provide a reasoned, balanced conclusion

I. Task 2 Question Overview for "Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food"

The topic “schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food” is a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 prompt. It is often framed as an opinion or two-part question, asking whether schools should take an active role in reducing junk food consumption among students.

Typical Task 2 Question:

Some people believe that schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food.
Others think that this is the responsibility of parents.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

To explore all formats, refer to IELTS writing task 2 question types.

Essay Type: Discussion + Opinion (Discuss both views and give your own opinion).

To master this format, review IELTS writing task 2 discussion essay.

Primary Requirements:

• Present arguments for schools taking on this responsibility (e.g., the role of education, influence during school hours, setting healthy habits, controlling cafeteria food)

• Present arguments for parental responsibility (e.g., family eating habits, personal choice, parents as main caretakers, boundaries of school intervention)

• Clearly state your own viewpoint and justify it (should schools, parents, or both share responsibility?)

II. Band 5.5–6.5 Sample for School Responsibility & Junk Food

Below you will find a Band 5.5–6.5 sample essay for the topic “Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food.” This example reflects how an average IELTS candidate might approach a “Discuss both views and give your opinion” essay, using simple structure and straightforward vocabulary. 

1. Band 5.5–6.5 Sample Essay with Paragraph Analysis

Sample Essay:

Some people think schools should teach children not to eat junk food, while others say this is a job for parents. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.

On the one hand, schools see children for many hours every day, so they can help teach good eating habits. Teachers can tell students why junk food is bad for health and give information about healthy food. Also, schools can stop selling snacks and drinks that are unhealthy in the canteen.

On the other hand, parents are the first teachers and decide what food children eat at home. Sometimes, even if schools try to teach healthy eating, children will eat junk food if parents do not control it. Families have different ideas or traditions about food, and it is difficult for schools to change these.

In my opinion, both schools and parents should share the responsibility. Schools can encourage healthy choices and provide good options, but parents must also guide children and set limits at home.

Paragraph Analysis:

• Introduction:

  • Paraphrases the task; states both sides and gives a personal view.

• Body Paragraph 1:

  • Lists schools’ roles: spending lots of time with children, educating about nutrition, controlling canteen food.

  • Uses clear points but lacks detail or specific examples.

• Body Paragraph 2:

  • Explains parents’ roles: first teacher, home decisions, importance of family habits.

  • Ideas are simple; argument stays on surface without much depth.

• Conclusion/Opinion:

  • States that both should share responsibility, but the idea is not deeply developed.

2. Common Vocabulary and Expressions (Band 5.5–6.5)

For the topic “Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food,” Band 5.5–6.5 candidates tend to use clear but basic language. The vocabulary is repeated and general, with simple expressions and limited paraphrasing.

Useful Vocabulary

Common issues are explained in mistakes in IELTS writing.

Common Expressions and Phrases

• “Schools should not sell junk food in the canteen.”

• “Parents are the first teachers of children.”

• “It is important to eat healthy food.”

• “Teachers can teach students about good eating habits.”

• “Families have different food traditions.”

• “Children will eat junk food if parents do not care.”

• “Both school and home are important for health.”

• “This is a problem for parents and schools.”

3. Grammar & Sentence Structures (Band 5.5–6.5)

At Band 5.5–6.5, grammar and sentence structures are mostly simple and clear, with frequent use of basic sentences and common linking words. Errors with articles, agreement, and complex sentence forms are common but rarely lead to major misunderstanding.

Common Sentence Patterns

Frequent Grammar Mistakes

Style and Linking

• Use of “and,” “but,” “because,” “so” is common.

• Sentences often begin with “Parents…,” “Schools…,” “Children…,” “It is…”

• Complex sentences and conditionals are rare or inaccurate.

III. Band 7.0+ Model for School Responsibility & Junk Food

Below is a Band 7.0+ model essay for the topic “Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food” - This sample demonstrates how to develop both arguments, use academic language, and link ideas fluently for a top-scoring IELTS Task 2 response.

For more support, explore ideas for IELTS writing.

1. Band 7.0+ Model Essay with Paragraph Analysis

Sample Essay:

There is ongoing debate about whether schools should bear primary responsibility for discouraging children from eating junk food, or whether this duty belongs mainly to parents. In my view, while families play a critical role in shaping eating habits, schools also have a clear social obligation to promote healthy nutrition among students.

On one hand, it is undeniable that parents have the strongest influence on children’s daily food choices. They decide what is available at home and establish attitudes towards eating, often before a child even starts school. For many families, meal traditions and dietary preferences are deeply ingrained, so real change must involve parental participation. If parents regularly provide unhealthy snacks or model poor choices, efforts by schools alone will have limited effect.

However, schools possess unique opportunities to foster healthy habits. Children spend much of their day in the classroom, with access to school cafeterias and vending machines. By regulating the sale of junk food and including nutrition education in the curriculum, schools can shape students’ preferences and behaviour. Furthermore, schools are social environments where peer pressure and role modelling reinforce positive or negative routines. International examples, such as banning energy drinks and sugary snacks in British schools, have led to measurable health improvements over time.

In conclusion, both parents and schools share responsibility for discouraging junk food among children. However, schools should take an active role as part of their wider social mission, ensuring that young people are educated, supported, and empowered to make healthy choices.

Paragraph Analysis:

• Introduction:

  • Paraphrases the topic, identifies both sides, and signals a balanced stance.

  • Academic tone, precise referencing (“primary responsibility,” “social obligation”).

• Body Paragraph 1:

  • Explains parents’ central role, developing the influence of home environment and tradition.

  • Uses abstract and concrete reasoning (“deeply ingrained,” “limited effect”).

• Body Paragraph 2:

  • Shifts to the unique position of schools; covers environment, policy, and education.

  • Provides a real-world policy example (UK energy drink ban).

  • Advanced, connected structures and thoughtful use of passive voice and referencing.

• Conclusion:

  • Restates and weighs both responsibilities; ends on a practical recommendation.

2. Advanced Vocabulary & Collocations for the Topic

To achieve Band 7.0+ in an essay about school responsibility and junk food, it is essential to use precise, academic vocabulary and natural collocations relating to education, nutrition, and social duty.

Academic Vocabulary & Collocations

Expand your range with learn IELTS writing vocabulary.

Useful Expressions & Sentence Starters

• “Schools have a clear obligation to…”

• “Parental influence remains the most significant factor in…”

• “By implementing strict cafeteria policies, schools can…”

• “International experience shows that restricting junk food at school…”

• “A collaborative approach between home and school is needed to…”

• “Such measures not only improve nutrition but also foster long-term healthy habits.”

Idiomatic and Academic Phrases

• “set a positive example”

• “shape student behaviour from an early age”

• “take a proactive stance”

• “bear collective responsibility”

• “address the root causes of unhealthy eating”

• “balance educational priorities with practical implementation”

3. Grammar & Sentence Structures (Band 7.0+)

For Band 7.0+ essays on the topic of school responsibility and junk food, grammar should show accuracy and complexity, with a variety of subordinate clauses, passive and active constructions, precise referencing, and advanced linking.

Advanced Sentence Structures

Advanced Linking & Cohesive Devices

• Contrasting: “Nevertheless,” “On the other hand,” “Despite this,” “Conversely”

• Explaining/sequencing: “Furthermore,” “Moreover,” “In addition,” “As a result,” “Consequently”

• Summary/opinion: “All things considered,” “Ultimately,” “In summary,” “It is clear that…”

• Adding detail: “Not only… but also…,” “Such measures can…”

Formal Academic Style Features

• Use of nominalization: “the regulation of unhealthy food,” “the implementation of healthy eating policies”

• Less frequent use of contractions or personal pronouns

• Frequent referencing to clarify (“this policy,” “such a trend,” “these guidelines,” “the role of education”)

• Mix of sentence lengths for flow and impact

IV. Examiner’s Comments: School Responsibility & Junk Food Essays

When examiners assess responses to the topic “Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food,” they look for argument balance, development, relevance, and sophistication of language. Here’s what sets a Band 7.0+ essay apart from a lower-band one:

• Task Response: Both views are explored with depth, examples, and nuanced reasoning. Causes and social impact are developed for both school and parental responsibility. The personal stance is clear, justified, and placed in context.

• Coherence and Cohesion: Each paragraph is clearly focused and sequenced logically (one for school, one for parents, one for opinion if needed). Smooth transitions, referencing, and advanced discourse markers ensure natural flow.

• Lexical Resource: Topic-specific and academic vocabulary is used naturally: “reinforce positive habits,” “implement dietary policy,” “bear social responsibility,” “parental influence,” “nutritional guidelines.” Clear paraphrasing, limited repetition.

• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Wide range of complex/compound sentences, passive voice, accurate use of articles and cohesive referencing. Errors are minimal and do not affect understanding.

Suggestions To Reach Band 7+:

• Develop both perspectives fully, using relevant examples and results.

• Use a mix of sentence types and advanced linking throughout.

• Paraphrase key concept terms like “junk food,” “responsibility,” “parental influence.”

• Make your opinion unmistakable and thoroughly supported.

• Be sure all arguments—whether about home or school—are explicitly tied to the question of who should be responsible and why.

To improve faster, follow the formula for IELTS writing band 7.

A Band 7+ essay on this topic is always clear, specific, and balanced, with sophisticated language and structure that confidently addresses societal roles, educational outcomes, and real-world impact.

Hopefully, the information above has provided you with a complete prompt, detailed outline, and a high-quality band 7.0+ sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Schools have the social responsibility to discourage children from eating junk food. Keep following PREP to get more helpful English knowledge updates!