This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of convenience foods from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Convenience Foods
Convenience foods will become increasingly prevalent and eventually replace traditional foods and methods of preparation.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many feel that convenience foods will one day completely replace traditional cuisine. In my opinion, though these products are inexpensive and convenient, there will always be a meaningful place for traditional food products.
The threat of convenience foods is based in their value. Prepared foods that can be found in supermarkets and small shops such as TV dinners and junk food are cheap and require little initiative. There is appeal in this for both single individuals and those with families. Most people come home tired after a long day at work or school and do not want to spend too much money or invest a lot of time in preparing a meal. Therefore, it is logical that companies produce ready-made meals that target this particular segment of market demand. In the future, there is a strong chance that companies will make these products healthier and convenience foods will become more prevalent.
Nonetheless, there will always be appreciation for traditional meals. At the moment, this is because these meals taste better and are healthier than convenience foods. Shoppers tend to consume unhealthy prepared meals as a last resort and when they have surplus time, money, or energy will opt for more wholesome meals that they can remember from their childhood. This is the reason that most cities have vibrant food scenes. Additionally, even if convenience foods can later be manufactured to a higher standard, it is unlikely individuals will ever want to relinquish the atmosphere of a more traditional dining experience. Traditional food is therefore an antidote to increasingly insular and sedentary modern lifestyles.
In conclusion, despite the utilitarian benefits of convenience foods, individuals will always prefer the better quality and experience of eating more traditionally. This is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Analysis
1. Many feel that convenience foods will one day completely replace traditional cuisine. 2. In my opinion, though these products are inexpensive and convenient, there will always be a meaningful place for traditional food products.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The threat of convenience foods is based in their value. 2. Prepared foods that can be found in supermarkets and small shops such as TV dinners and junk food are cheap and require little initiative. 3. There is appeal in this for both single individuals and those with families. 4. Most people come home tired after a long day at work or school and do not want to spend too much money or invest a lot of time in preparing a meal. 5. Therefore, it is logical that companies produce ready-made meals that target this particular segment of market demand. 6. In the future, there is a strong chance that companies will make these products healthier and convenience foods will become more prevalent.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Stay focused on the same main idea.
- Finish with the full result.
1. Nonetheless, there will always be appreciation for traditional meals. 2. At the moment, this is because these meals taste better and are healthier than convenience foods. 3. Shoppers tend to consume unhealthy prepared meals as a last resort and when they have surplus time, money, or energy will opt for more wholesome meals that they can remember from their childhood. 4. This is the reason that most cities have vibrant food scenes. 5. Additionally, even if convenience foods can later be manufactured to a higher standard, it is unlikely individuals will ever want to relinquish the atmosphere of a more traditional dining experience. 6. Traditional food is therefore an antidote to increasingly insular and sedentary modern lifestyles.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
- Vary long and short sentences.
1. In conclusion, despite the utilitarian benefits of convenience foods, individuals will always prefer the better quality and experience of eating more traditionally. 2. This is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many feel that convenience foods will one day completely replace traditional cuisine. In my opinion, though these products are inexpensive and convenient, there will always be a meaningful place for traditional food products.
The threat of convenience foods is based in their value. Prepared foods that can be found in supermarkets and small shops such as TV dinners and junk food are cheap and require little initiative. There is appeal in this for both single individuals and those with families. Most people come home tired after a long day at work or school and do not want to spend too much money or invest a lot of time in preparing a meal. Therefore, it is logical that companies produce ready-made meals that target this particular segment of market demand. In the future, there is a strong chance that companies will make these products healthier and convenience foods will become more prevalent.
Nonetheless, there will always be appreciation for traditional meals. At the moment, this is because these meals taste better and are healthier than convenience foods. Shoppers tend to consume unhealthy prepared meals as a last resort and when they have surplus time, money, or energy will opt for more wholesome meals that they can remember from their childhood. This is the reason that most cities have vibrant food scenes. Additionally, even if convenience foods can later be manufactured to a higher standard, it is unlikely individuals will ever want to relinquish the atmosphere of a more traditional dining experience. Traditional food is therefore an antidote to increasingly insular and sedentary modern lifestyles.
In conclusion, despite the utilitarian benefits of convenience foods, individuals will always prefer the better quality and experience of eating more traditionally. This is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
convenience foods junk foods and prepared foods
one day eventually
completely replace take over 100%
traditional cuisine food from the past of a country
products foods
inexpensive cheap
convenient cheap and easy
meaningful place important space
traditional food products culturally important foods
threat risk
is based in has its foundation in
value importance
prepared foods meals made ahead of time
can be found in can be located in
TV dinners prepared meals you can microwave
junk food unhealthy foods like chips, etc.
cheap inexpensive
require little initiative need not much effort
appeal attractiveness
single individuals unmarried people
tired without energy
invest put money, time into
logical rational
ready-made meals already prepared foods
particular segment certain area
market demand consumers wanting it
strong chance good likelihood
healthier better for you
prevalent very common
nonetheless regargless
appreciation caring about
meals foods
at the moment right now
taste better better flavor
healthier more nutritious
consume eat
last resort final option
surplus extra
wholesome meals good foods
childhood when you were a kid
vibrant food scenes flourishing restaurants
additionally also
later in the future
higher standard better quality
relinquish give up
atmosphere feeling in the restaurant
more traditional less modern
dining experience atmosphere
antidote cure
increasingly more and more
insular isolated
sedentary less active, more passive
modern lifestyles way people live now
utilitarian benefits actual effects for a person
prefer desire more
quality how good something is
remain the case still true
foreseeable future as far as we can see in the future
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
kənˈviːniəns fuːdz
wʌn deɪ
kəmˈpliːtli rɪˈpleɪs
trəˈdɪʃənl kwi(ː)ˈziːn
ˈprɒdʌkts
ˌɪnɪksˈpɛnsɪv
kənˈviːniənt
ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl pleɪs
trəˈdɪʃənl fuːd ˈprɒdʌkts
θrɛt
ɪz beɪst ɪn
ˈvæljuː
prɪˈpeəd fuːdz
kæn biː faʊnd ɪn
ˌtiːˈviː ˈdɪnəz
ʤʌŋk fuːd
ʧiːp
rɪˈkwaɪə ˈlɪtl ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv
əˈpiːl
ˈsɪŋgl ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz
ˈtaɪəd
ɪnˈvɛst
ˈlɒʤɪkəl
ˈrɛdɪˈmeɪd miːlz
pəˈtɪkjʊlə ˈsɛgmənt
ˈmɑːkɪt dɪˈmɑːnd
strɒŋ ʧɑːns
ˈhɛlθɪə
ˈprɛvələnt
ˌnʌnðəˈlɛs
əˌpriːʃɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n
miːlz
æt ðə ˈməʊmənt
teɪst ˈbɛtə
ˈhɛlθɪə
kənˈsjuːm
lɑːst rɪˈzɔːt
ˈsɜːpləs
ˈhəʊlsəm miːlz
ˈʧaɪldhʊd
ˈvaɪbrənt fuːd siːnz
əˈdɪʃənli
ˈleɪtə
ˈhaɪə ˈstændəd
rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ
ˈætməsfɪə
mɔː trəˈdɪʃənl
ˈdaɪnɪŋ ɪksˈpɪərɪəns
ˈæntɪdəʊt
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli
ˈɪnsjʊlə
ˈsɛdntəri
ˈmɒdən ˈlaɪfˌstaɪlz
ˌjuːtɪlɪˈteərɪən ˈbɛnɪfɪts
priˈfɜː
ˈkwɒlɪti
rɪˈmeɪn ðə keɪs
fɔːˈsiːəbl ˈfjuːʧə
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Many feel that c____________________s will o_________y c__________________e t_____________________e. In my opinion, though these p___________s are i_______________e and c_____________t, there will always be a m________________________e for t_______________________________s.
The t________t of convenience foods i________________n their v_______e. P________________s that c_________________n supermarkets and small shops such as T______________s and j___________d are c________p and r_____________________e. There is a___________l in this for both s________________s and those with families. Most people come home t________d after a long day at work or school and do not want to spend too much money or i_________t a lot of time in preparing a meal. Therefore, it is l__________l that companies produce r__________________s that target this p_______________________t of m_________________d. In the future, there is a s_________________e that companies will make these products h______________r and convenience foods will become more p___________t.
N________________s, there will always be a________________n for traditional m________s. A___________________t, this is because these meals t____________r and are h_____________r than convenience foods. Shoppers tend to c___________e unhealthy prepared meals as a l_________t and when they have s__________s time, money, or energy will opt for more w____________________s that they can remember from their c____________d. This is the reason that most cities have v______________________s. A_____________y, even if convenience foods can l________r be manufactured to a h________________d, it is unlikely individuals will ever want to r____________h the a_____________e of a m_______________________________________e. Traditional food is therefore an a___________e to i_____________________r and s_____________________________s.
In conclusion, despite the u_________________s of convenience foods, individuals will always p_________r the better q________y and experience of eating more traditionally. This is likely to r_________________e for the f_____________________e.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210521-which-processed-foods-are-better-than-natural
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Food
- What kinds of foods do you like to eat?
- How different is food in your country today from when you were younger?
- Which foods do you dislike?
- What foods do people in your country buy at the market?
Writing Practice
Practice with the same basic topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Many manufactured food and drink products contain high levels of sugar, which causes many health problems. Sugary products should be made more expensive to encourage people to consume less sugar.
Do you agree or disagree?
Would you please take a look at my essay? Thanks!
Many are of the opinion that the popularity of convenience food will completely replace traditional cuisines. Although these types of food can be convenient and inexpensive, I am strongly convinced that traditional food will still remain an indispensable part of individuals’ diets in the foreseeable future.
The argument in favor of convenience foods replacing traditional foods and cooking methods is that the former is of enormous use in today’s fast-paced life. The truth is that individuals nowadays are progressively busier than they were in the past with many responsibilities such as child-raising, housework, and working. This is compounded with the fact that many of them have to spend an excessive amount of time traveling or being stuck in traffic congestion, leaving them little time to prepare for a decent meal with sufficient nutrients. As a result, having a fast meal at grocery stores or fast-food chains remains the only available option for them to gain quick energy and return to taking care of their duties. Therefore, it is understandable why many opine that traditional cuisines are likely to be supplanted by convenience foods in the future.
Nonetheless, I claim that the occurrence of conventional cuisines disappearing because of convenience foods is unlikely. This is because individuals are aware of the fact that the frequent and high consumption of convenience foods is injurious to both their physical and mental health, meaning that eating convenience meals is just their last resort. This indicates that whenever individuals have surplus time, they always opt for wholesome meals. Furthermore, there is an inextricable relation between conventional cuisines and the traditional and cultural values of a country, suggesting that the disappearance of traditional foods and cooking methods can be regarded as a cultural loss. As a result, to preserve the country’s identity, the government will use legislation to avert the extinction of traditional foods. These are reliable testaments to why the idea of convenience foods eventually replacing their traditional counterparts should be rejected.
In conclusion, despite the utilitarian benefits of convenience foods, I hold that traditional foods will remain popular in the future as individuals will always prefer their traditional cuisines, and governments are unlikely to allow the disappearance of conventional foods and cooking methods to occur.
Sure!
Really accurate vocabulary and grammar throughout and you have a clear opinion.
Try not to rely too much on linking words in your writing.
Hi Dave sir, would you please assess my essay. My exam on 11th sept. please tell me my improvement areas and the quick steps I need to take.
Some people think processed food will be preferred to a great extent that traditional food and its making procedure will be obsolete. In my opinion, though process food takes less time to make edible, traditional food will be demanded all time for its taste and freshness.
Proponents who are supporting fast food argue for its quick processing time. People nowadays are busy with multi-schedule that they have a very scarcity of time to make food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cooking food at home needs a significant amount of time to prepare, from raw vegetables, fish and meat to cooked curry and cuisine through plenty of cooking processes. In contrast, corporate folks prefer to get ready foods that are available at restaurants and fast-food shops situated beside almost every corporate office. A survey made in New York city regarding fast food consumption shows that many job holders eat burger, sandwich, pasta, and noodles as breakfast and lunch from the nearest food shops. However, convenience food has greater negative implications for health that people are trying to get rid of from this phenomenon.
On the other hand, homemade food will be wanted for its indigenous flavour, taste and healthy state. Home cooking is made from fresh raw materials and spices that may be shopped within this day or the previous day. Therefore, the recipe after cooking spreads fresh flavor and taste better than the processed food which may be readily kept in the refrigerator for a week and even a month. Homemade cooking is considered the utmost delicious food, and preferred to arrange this food in special events like marriage ceremony and birthday party. Moreover, for its hygiene and less sugar and fat, health-conscious people are increasingly seeking indigenous food, and they try as much as possible to make them at home.
In conclusion, I believe people eat ready food as they have no alternatives due to business, they always keep in mind to have traditional food and always wants it for its delicious taste and better health.
can I wish for 6.5 band ??
Hi Priya!
For scores and more detailed feedback you can sign up on Patreon.com/howtodoielts – there are very affordable options!
In general, there are lots of mistakes with collocations and your choice of vocabulary and lots of minor grammar errors as well – try to use phrases and vocabulary that you have seen work in this context before.
Keep working hard!
Thank you a lot, sir. Did I develop my main ideas enough in both paragraphs?