PTE Academic Write Essay · Opinion (agree or disagree)

Restricting Sugary Drinks in Schools and Workplaces

A high-scoring sample essay with the plan behind it, the vocabulary that lifts it, and what the scoring traits reward.
  • 273 words
  • Opinion (agree or disagree)
  • beginner
  • 20 minutes

The prompt

More people are now choosing to drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda and juice as part of a healthier lifestyle. Do you agree that schools and workplaces should stop selling sugary drinks and offer only water and milk? Give reasons for your answer.

20 minutes. Write 200 to 300 words. A BandLadder practice prompt, not a recalled exam question.

Opinion (agree or disagree)

Plan before you write

  1. 1

    Position

    I strongly agree that schools and workplaces should prohibit the sale of sugary beverages to promote public health.

  2. 2

    Paragraph 2

    Restricting access to soda and juice in educational environments helps combat childhood obesity and establishes healthy consumption habits.

  3. 3

    Paragraph 3

    Implementing such policies in professional settings improves workforce productivity and reduces long-term healthcare costs associated with metabolic diseases.

  • →State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.
  • →Two body paragraphs that each give one reason for that position, with an example.
  • →A partial position is fine if it is stated precisely; a position that drifts is what caps task response at 6.

Model answer

Sample essay

High-scoring sample273 words. Use the structure and vocabulary, not the sentences: PTE flags memorised templates.

The rising global prevalence of obesity and diabetes has prompted a shift toward healthier hydration habits. Some argue that institutions should mandate this transition by removing sugary drinks from their premises. I strongly agree that schools and workplaces should prohibit the sale of such beverages to foster a healthier population and reduce the burden of preventable illnesses.

Educational institutions serve as critical environments for shaping lifelong nutritional habits. By replacing soft drinks with water and milk, schools can effectively limit the intake of empty calories among youth. For instance, studies have shown that when schools remove vending machines stocked with high-sugar options, students are significantly more likely to choose healthier alternatives. This intervention not only mitigates the risk of childhood obesity but also enhances cognitive function and concentration levels throughout the academic day.

Similarly, professional environments can benefit immensely from policies that prioritize nutritious beverage options. Providing water and milk instead of sugary sodas promotes a workplace culture centered on well-being and sustained energy. For example, a corporation that substitutes sugary drinks with water stations often observes improved employee alertness and a reduction in the afternoon fatigue typically linked to sugar crashes. Furthermore, such initiatives contribute to lower corporate healthcare expenditures by diminishing the incidence of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes among staff.

In conclusion, restricting the sale of sugary beverages in schools and workplaces is a prudent strategy to improve public health outcomes. By creating environments that facilitate healthier choices, these institutions play a pivotal role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases. Therefore, the transition toward offering only water and milk is a necessary step for fostering a healthier and more productive society.

Scoring traits

Why this scores well

This response scores highly for its logical development of arguments and precise use of formal academic vocabulary. The most common error on this prompt is failing to address both settings—schools and workplaces—or providing vague suggestions instead of a clear stance.

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8 words

Vocabulary from the essay

  • prevalence

    the fact of something being common or widespread

  • mitigates

    makes something less severe, serious, or painful

  • cognitive

    connected with mental processes of understanding and thinking

  • expenditures

    the action of spending funds or money

  • prudent

    acting with or showing care for the future

  • incidence

    the occurrence or rate of a particular event

  • sustained

    continuing for an extended period without interruption

  • mandate

    an official order to do something

See also the Write Essay guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a PTE essay be?+

Between 200 and 300 words; outside that range the form score drops to zero. This sample is 273 words, written for the 20-minute limit.

What type of essay is this?+

Opinion (agree or disagree). State a clear position in the last sentence of the introduction and keep it to the end.

What does PTE reward in the essay?+

This response scores highly for its logical development of arguments and precise use of formal academic vocabulary. The most common error on this prompt is failing to address both settings—schools and workplaces—or providing vague suggestions instead of a clear stance.

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