【問題文】
In recent years, many local and national governments have considered imposing a tax on sugary drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc.), because such drinks are thought to be a major contributor to health problems such as being significantly overweight. Would you support or oppose a tax on sugary drinks? Write a paragraph in ENGLISH, providing specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
■ 解答例1(賛成)
I would support a tax on sugary drinks. The clearest reason is public health: excessive sugar consumption is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems, all of which place a heavy burden on national healthcare systems. A tax raises the price of these drinks and, according to studies from cities such as Berkeley and Philadelphia, measurably reduces consumption, especially among young people who are highly price-sensitive. Moreover, the tax revenue generated can be reinvested in public health campaigns or subsidized fresh produce, creating a virtuous cycle that further discourages unhealthy eating habits. Critics argue that such a tax unfairly burdens low-income households, but this can be addressed by using part of the revenue to fund nutrition programs specifically for those communities. On balance, the health benefits outweigh the drawbacks, so I support the tax.
■ 解答例2(反対)
I would oppose a tax on sugary drinks. My main concern is that such a tax is regressive: it takes a proportionally larger share of income from low-income families, who often rely on cheap, calorie-dense drinks and cannot easily switch to more expensive healthy alternatives. In addition, taxing one product in isolation rarely solves a complex problem like obesity, since consumers may simply substitute other high-calorie snacks that are not taxed, undermining the policy’s intended effect. A more effective approach would be investing directly in nutrition education in schools and improving access to affordable fresh food in low-income neighborhoods, which addresses the root causes of unhealthy eating rather than punishing consumers financially. For these reasons, I do not think a tax on sugary drinks is the right solution.
■ 覚えておきたい表現・文法
・impose a tax on ~ = ~に課税する(imposeは規則・税金・制裁などを「課す」時の定番動詞)
・a major contributor to ~ = ~の主要な要因(健康・環境問題のエッセイで頻出)
・place a heavy burden on ~ = ~に重い負担をかける
・price-sensitive = 価格に敏感な(経済系語彙)
・a virtuous cycle ⇔ a vicious cycle = 好循環⇔悪循環(対で覚える)
・regressive (tax) = 逆進的な(税)⇔ progressive tax = 累進課税、という経済用語のペア
・calorie-dense = 高カロリーの(ハイフンで形容詞を作る表現、英作文で語彙を増やす技術)
・undermine the policy’s intended effect = 政策の意図した効果を損なう
・address the root cause(s) of ~ = ~の根本原因に対処する、という結論部の定番フレーズ
・on balance = 全体として考えると(賛否両論を整理した後のまとめに便利な副詞句)
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