ielts essay topics on food

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Food Essay Titles

Ielts food & diet essay questions.

With a growing world population one of the most pressing issues is that of feeding such a large number of people. Some people think that GM foods offer a viable solution to this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people think that educating people about the problems of eating too much fast food has no effect and that other measures should be taken to tackle this issue. What is your opinion?

People should only buy food sourced locally. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

The government should ban convenience foods to improve public health. Do you agree?

Some people think that the increase in the number of obese people should be the responsibility of the government, while others think it should be the responsibility of individuals. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

With a growing population, many people believe that we should focus on producing more GM foods. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?

Putting a tax on sugar is a good way to reduce the number of people incurring health problems from eating too much sugary foods and drinks. Do you agree?

An increasing number of children are overweight which could result many problems when they grow older both in terms of their health and health care costs. Why do you think so many children are overweight? What could be done to solve this problem?

Unless fast foods and ready-made meals are banned, traditional methods of cooking will soon be lost. To what extent do you agree?

With a fast pace of modern life more and more people are turning towards fast food for their main meals. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause serious health problems.

Do you agree or disagree?

Many processed foods and ready-made meals contain preservatives and chemicals. What are the advantages to this? Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Over the last few decades, the media has promoted the image of young thin women as being ideal. What problems has this caused? What solutions can you suggest to this issue?

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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IELTS Writing 2 Topic: Food

Updated On Oct 25, 2021

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Table of Contents

Sample essay, band 9 sample essay.

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Today’s fresh food like vegetables or fruits travels thousands of miles from the rural areas or farms before it reaches customers in cities or urban areas. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative trend?

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Direct Question Essay

Introduction

• Paraphrase the topic of the essay.
• Paragraph 1 – The spread of food to far-away places is cost-ineffective. Such fees related to gasoline, transportation delivery, staff management and other types of insurance are way beyond the pocket of suppliers. However, economically, it bestows upon both producers and consumers more noticeable benefits.
• Paragraph 2 – The second disadvantage of this trend is believed to trigger the inability to control the quality of food and growing dependence of each nation. The past has shown that Roman, as a consequence of relying on food chain supply of other nations, ever saw its power going into steep decline whereas the task of far-distance distribution can hardly ensure the thorough examination between suppliers and buyers, and trigger unwanted virus damaging the food.
• Conclude the essay by summarizing the topic and providing an inference.

We all need food to survive. It is thought that with the domination of cutting-edge technology, such as airplane, food is accessible to everywhere while others see it as a danger, rather than a boon . I totally support the mobile trend in food distribution .

First of all, opponents of this tendency argue that the spread of food to far-away places is cost-ineffective . Such fees related to gasoline, transportation delivery, staff management and other types of insurance are way beyond the pocket of suppliers. However, economically, it bestows upon both producers and consumers more noticeable benefits. Due to scarcity of food in some areas, as a result of frozen or extremely scorching weather, crop failures are predictable, leading to a skyrocketing price . Hence, with the in-time delivery from other zones which are available in this type of needed food, the prices can be curbed and their taste is fully satisfied while businessmen who truly prioritize the demand of customers over others gain a huge amount of profit. Besides, as living standards of human escalates non-stop, their need for varied food, from eastern to western, is more urgent than ever, especially in times of globalization. As there goes a saying “ variety is the spice of life ”, food transported from thousands of miles away from its farm is inevitable.

The second disadvantage of this trend is believed to trigger the inability to control the quality of food and growing dependence of each nation. The past has shown that Roman, as a consequence of relying on food chain supply of other nations, ever saw its power going into steep decline whereas the task of far-distance distribution can hardly ensure the thorough examination between suppliers and buyers, and trigger unwanted virus damaging the food. Nevertheless, gone are the days that food was easily ruined by external factors when refrigerators and other types of modern innovations are employed to keep food fresh and pasteurize it effectively. Another point is that Roman might have seen a quick economic recovery if successfully developing other industries to compensate for their lack of food supply . Geographically, each nation is born to be in a location which could be either suitable or hostile to food production, but by focusing on their inherent strengths and exchanging their products, food supply and other types of products are readily accessible to both, and at the same time, this is conducive to heightening the specialization in their production and maximizing their output in general. Moreover, with this trend growing ever-prevalent , procedures of supervising food set up by food experts are internationalized. Entering the market of Wal-mart in America, customers are able to choose the lowest price dishes, while still feeling satisfied with their quality by dint of clear markings of out-of-date and usage attached to each item. Equally important, this tendency is a contributor to pressuring local food companies to continuously enhance their quality; otherwise, customers will turn to other markets for better ones with less cost.

All things considered , I strongly hold onto the view that more gains than pains are realized in this scenario for its cost-effective, motivational, win-win benefits for customers, producers and governments.

Domination (noun)  control or power over other people or things

Cutting-edge (adj)  extremely modern and advanced

Boon (noun) something useful that brings great benefits or makes your life easier

Bestow something on someone (verb)   to give valuable property or an important right or honour to someone

Scorching (adj)  extremely hot

Skyrocket (verb)  rising quickly to a very high level

Variety is the spice of life (Cliché) You should try many different kinds of experiences, because trying different things keeps life interesting.

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The system followed by grocery traders and merchants for procurement of fresh supplies is quite sophisticated in this day and age. Since the production of farm products is restricted to rural areas, transportation is the only avenue for obtaining fruits and vegetables for the urban market. Although there are various underlying reasons for this trend and there is a debate on whether such a system is feasible or not, this has been the conventional method followed by businesses across the globe. In the following paragraphs, I will explore and provide answers to the questions posed by the topic.

To begin with, we are all aware of the fact that agricultural activities are most prevalent in the countryside. Since rural areas are less polluted and the land is rich in nutrients, farming activities are abundant in such places. Thus, the primary supply of products like fruits and vegetables comes from rural areas. Moreover, due to the abundance of free land, the establishment of huge farms and plantations is easier in the country.

On the other hand, the demand for such farm products is greater in urban areas due to cities and towns being more densely populated. Consequently, traders have to bear enormous expenses on transportation so that these products are made available to the urban population in supermarkets and grocery stores. Although such expenses can be managed by large scale organizations with economies of scale, the same is not possible for small-time businesses. Furthermore, there are other costs like proper storage of these products as they are perishable in nature. All these limitations make this current approach costly and impractical for new and small-scale vendors.

In conclusion, I would like to say that even though the framework of procuring farm products through long-distance transportation is widely practised, it is not suitable for various reasons. As the integrity and the quality of such products become questionable when travelling huge distances from rural to urban areas, an improved process that is both efficient and cost-effective has to be implemented.

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IELTS Writing Task2 Essays

Food and Diet

Perfect your writing skills in Food and Diet topics for IELTS Task 2 with IELTS24. Expert-crafted questions and essays help you prepare thoroughly.

IELTS24's Food and Diet segment for IELTS Writing Task 2 serves up a menu of provocative essay prompts, exploring the relationship between nutrition, health, and culture. Our model essays exemplify the level of critical thinking and persuasive writing that the IELTS demands, covering various topics from global dietary trends to the socio-economic aspects of food. Detailed feedback from practice sessions aims to nurture a nuanced understanding and the ability to write essays that stand out in the IELTS evaluation process.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essay: Buying Food From All Over the World

In this lesson you are going to see 3 different high scoring essays written in response to the following task:

In many countries nowadays, consumers can go to a supermarket and buy food produced all over the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Test 4

Each essay responds to the same task in different ways . The first essay argues that this development is positive, the second essay argues that the development is negative, the third essay argues that the development has both positive and negative aspects.

Each essay is accompanied by an essay plan and vocabulary list .

Essay 1 (Positive)

The first essay takes the view that this development is a positive one . Three main reasons are presented: it provides people with access to a wider range of food, it provides economic benefits to countries that export the food and exposure to food from around the world encourages cultural understanding.

• Paraphrase the essay topic.
• State that this is a positive development.
• Access to a diverse range of food.
• Example: Availability of exotic fruits in Northern Europe.
• Economic benefits for producing countries.
• Example: Export opportunities for tropical countries.
• Cultural exchange and understanding.
• Example: Popularity of international cuisines.
• Restate the positive aspects and conclude.

In recent years, supermarkets in many nations have started offering a variety of foods sourced from across the globe. I firmly believe that this trend is a positive development due to the numerous advantages it brings.

Firstly, the availability of international food products allows consumers to access a diverse range of foods that were previously unavailable. For instance, in Northern European countries, exotic fruits such as mangoes and papayas, which are not locally grown, can now be easily purchased in supermarkets. This not only enhances the culinary experience but also promotes healthier eating habits by providing a wider selection of nutritious options.

Secondly, the importation of food products has significant economic benefits for the countries that produce them. Many tropical countries, such as Costa Rica and Vietnam, rely heavily on the export of agricultural products like bananas and coffee. By exporting these goods, these countries can boost their economies, create jobs, and improve the standard of living for their citizens.

Furthermore, the presence of international foods in supermarkets fosters cultural exchange and understanding. As people are exposed to foods from different parts of the world, they become more curious about the cultures and traditions associated with these foods. This can be seen in the growing popularity of cuisines such as Japanese sushi, Mexican tacos, and Italian pasta in various countries. Such culinary exploration promotes cultural appreciation and broadens people’s perspectives.

In conclusion, the ability to buy food produced worldwide in supermarkets is undoubtedly a positive development. It not only provides consumers with a variety of food choices and supports the economies of producing countries but also encourages cultural exchange and understanding. These benefits collectively enhance the global community and contribute to a more interconnected world.

Vocabulary List

• Sourced from across the globe
• Positive development
• Numerous advantages
• Availability
• Exotic fruits
• Culinary experience
• Nutritious options
• Economic benefits
• Agricultural products
• Boost their economies
• Standard of living
• Cultural exchange
• Culinary exploration
• Cultural appreciation
• Broadens perspectives
• Food produced worldwide in supermarkets
• Foster understanding

Practice Exercise

Essay 2 (negative).

This essay takes the opposite position to Essay 1. It argues that the development is a negative one. Again, three main reasons are given. Firstly, the negative environmental impact of transporting food across the world; secondly, the way it undermines domestic food traditions and the ability of a country to feed itself; and thirdly, how local farmers suffer from overseas competition.

• State that this is a negative development.
• Environmental impact of transporting food.
• Example: Carbon footprint of imported avocados from Mexico to Europe.
• Loss of local food traditions and self-sufficiency.
• Example: Decline of traditional British orchards.
• Economic strain on local farmers.
• Example: Competition faced by local dairy farmers from cheaper imported milk.
• Restate the negative aspects and conclude.

In contemporary society, the presence of globally produced food in supermarkets is increasingly common. However, I believe this development is predominantly negative due to its environmental, cultural, and economic repercussions.

Firstly, the environmental impact of transporting food across vast distances is substantial. The carbon footprint associated with importing avocados from Mexico to Europe, for example, is significant. The fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from such long-haul transportation contribute to climate change and environmental degradation. Reducing the need for long-distance food transport by focusing on locally sourced products could help mitigate these environmental issues.

Secondly, the availability of international foods can lead to a decline in local food traditions and self-sufficiency. For instance, in the UK, traditional British orchards are dwindling as consumers increasingly prefer imported fruits like oranges and pineapples. This shift not only erodes local food heritage but also undermines the sustainability of local agriculture. Maintaining local food traditions is essential for preserving cultural identity and ensuring a resilient local food system.

Moreover, the influx of imported food products can place economic strain on local farmers. Local dairy farmers, for instance, often struggle to compete with the lower prices of imported milk. This competition can lead to a decrease in the profitability of local farming, resulting in farm closures and loss of livelihoods. Supporting local farmers by prioritizing their products in supermarkets can help sustain the local economy and ensure food security.

In conclusion, while the global availability of food in supermarkets may offer some benefits, it poses significant environmental, cultural, and economic challenges. By prioritizing local produce, we can reduce environmental impact, preserve local food traditions, and support local farmers, thereby fostering a more sustainable and resilient food system.

• Predominantly negative
• Environmental repercussions
• Carbon footprint
• Long-haul transportation
• Climate change
• Environmental degradation
• Locally sourced products
• Mitigate environmental issues
• Local food traditions
• Self-sufficiency
• Erodes local food heritage
• Sustainability
• Resilient local food system
• Cultural identity
• Economic strain
• Profitability
• Farm closures
• Food security
• Sustainable and resilient

Try to complete Essay 2 WITHOUT looking at it! Drag and drop the missing words/phrases into the correct spaces. (The exercise work best on desktop, not mobile).

Essay 3 (Positive and Negative)

The third essay takes the position that there are both positive and negative impacts of this development. The essay provides 2 positive impacts (access to diverse food, economic benefits to developing countries) and two negative impacts (environmental impact and loss of domestic food culture).

• State that the development has both positive and negative aspects.
• Positive: Access to diverse foods and dietary benefits.
• Example: Superfoods like quinoa becoming globally available.
• Positive: Economic opportunities for developing countries.
• Example: Coffee exports from Ethiopia.
• Negative: Environmental impact and carbon footprint.
• Example: Air freight of perishable goods.
• Negative: Potential loss of local food culture.
• Example: Traditional Italian cuisine overshadowed by international fast food.
• Acknowledge both sides and suggest a balanced approach.

The global availability of food in supermarkets is a trend that carries both positive and negative implications. While it offers several benefits, it also presents significant challenges that must be considered.

On the positive side, access to a wide range of international foods enhances dietary diversity and promotes better nutrition. For instance, the global popularity of superfoods like quinoa has introduced a highly nutritious grain to diets worldwide. Such foods provide essential nutrients and health benefits that might not be available in locally produced items, contributing to overall well-being.

Moreover, the importation of food products offers economic opportunities for developing countries. Ethiopian coffee, for instance, is a major export that supports the livelihoods of countless farmers and contributes to the national economy. Such trade can enhance economic development and reduce poverty in producing regions.

However, the environmental impact of transporting food across the globe cannot be ignored. The carbon footprint associated with air freighting perishable goods is considerable, contributing to global warming and environmental degradation. For example, the air transportation of fresh produce from South America to Europe generates significant greenhouse gas emissions, undermining efforts to combat climate change.

In addition, the influx of international foods can lead to the erosion of local food cultures. In Italy, for example, traditional cuisine is increasingly overshadowed by the popularity of international fast food chains. This shift not only affects cultural heritage but also impacts the local food industry, which struggles to compete with global brands.

In conclusion, while the presence of globally sourced food in supermarkets has notable advantages such as improved nutrition and economic opportunities, it also poses significant environmental and cultural challenges. A balanced approach that promotes both global trade and local food sustainability is essential to maximize benefits while mitigating negative impacts.

• Implications
• Dietary diversity
• Nutritional benefits
• Highly nutritious
• Essential nutrients
• Overall well-being
• Environmental impact
• Air freighting
• Global warming
• Perishable goods
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Combat climate change
• Economic opportunities
• Livelihoods
• National economy
• Economic development
• Reduce poverty
• Cultural heritage
• Local food industry
• Global brands
• Balanced approach
• Mitigating impacts

Oh no! The third essay has been cut into small pieces! Can you put it back together again. Put the sentences into the correct order.

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You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Nowadays food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Some people prefer to eat at restaurants while others prefer to prepare and eat at home. Which  one do you prefer?

Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

You should write at least 250 words

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