This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of drilling in remote locations from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Meat

Some people think eating meat is bad for health. 

Do you agree or disagree?

Many individuals eat less meat compared to previous generations as there is clear evidence it may not be nutritious. In my opinion, although meat is often eaten in unhealthy contexts, it is generally healthy if prepared correctly.

Those who argue that meat is inherently unhealthy point out modern insights into nutrition. Many meats, most infamously red meats such as pork and beef, contain fats that can build up and contribute to the leading cause of death globally: cardiovascular disease. Added to this is the fact that meaty dishes are often saturated with heavy carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and other unhealthy fats like butter. One standout example of this would be the cheeseburger, one of the most eaten meal items globally. Not only is the red meat bad for heart health but the buns, cheese, and potentially other toppings only hinder short and long-term nutritional goals.

However, meat on its own is crucial due to high protein levels. Many vegetarians and vegans would argue that protein can be sourced from a variety of nutritious and vitamin-dense nuts and vegetables. Though there is some truth in this, the levels of protein in other foods are low and there are certain essential compounds that can only be found in meat. The best evidence for this comes not only from nutritional studies but also human prehistory. For thousands of years, people have been subsisting on diets high in meat that have greatly contributed to the flourishing of the human race generally and civilization more specifically. Consumed without unhealthy ingredients, there is simply no greater source of energy for the average person.

In conclusion, though many meat dishes are high in fat, salt, sugar, and carbohydrates, meat itself is an excellent and healthy source of protein that has historically been a part of the human diet. Individuals in this case as in all others should therefore pursue a more moderate approach.

Analysis

1. Many individuals eat less meat compared to previous generations as there is clear evidence it may not be nutritious. 2. In my opinion, although meat is often eaten in unhealthy contexts, it is generally healthy if prepared correctly.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Those who argue that meat is inherently unhealthy point out modern insights into nutrition. 2. Many meats, most infamously red meats such as pork and beef, contain fats that can build up and contribute to the leading cause of death globally: cardiovascular disease. 3. Added to this is the fact that meaty dishes are often saturated with heavy carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and other unhealthy fats like butter. 4. One standout example of this would be the cheeseburger, one of the most eaten meal items globally. 5. Not only is the red meat bad for heart health but the buns, cheese, and potentially other toppings only hinder short and long-term nutritional goals.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Make sure your examples are specific.
6. And you fully detail the results.

1. However, meat on its own is crucial due to high protein levels. 2. Many vegetarians and vegans would argue that protein can be sourced from a variety of nutritious and vitamin-dense nuts and vegetables. 3. Though there is some truth in this, the levels of protein in other foods are low and there are certain essential compounds that can only be found in meat. 4. The best evidence for this comes not only from nutritional studies but also human prehistory. 5. For thousands of years, people have been subsisting on diets high in meat that have greatly contributed to the flourishing of the human race generally and civilization more specifically. 6. Consumed without unhealthy ingredients, there is simply no greater source of energy for the average person.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, though many meat dishes are high in fat, salt, sugar, and carbohydrates, meat itself is an excellent and healthy source of protein that has historically been a part of the human diet. 2. Individuals in this case as in all others should therefore pursue a more moderate approach.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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 individuals eat less meat compared to previous generations as there is clear evidence it may not be nutritious. In my opinion, although meat is often eaten in unhealthy contexts, it is generally healthy if prepared correctly.

Those who argue that meat is inherently unhealthy point out modern insights into nutrition. Many meats, most infamously red meats such as pork and beef, contain fats that can build up and contribute to the leading cause of death globally: cardiovascular disease. Added to this is the fact that meaty dishes are often saturated with heavy carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and other unhealthy fats like butter. One standout example of this would be the cheeseburger, one of the most eaten meal items globally. Not only is the red meat bad for heart health but the buns, cheese, and potentially other toppings only hinder short and long-term nutritional goals.

However, meat on its own is crucial due to high protein levels. Many vegetarians and vegans would argue that protein can be sourced from a variety of nutritious and vitamin-dense nuts and vegetables. Though there is some truth in this, the levels of protein in other foods are low and there are certain essential compounds that can only be found in meat. The best evidence for this comes not only from nutritional studies but also human prehistory. For thousands of years, people have been subsisting on diets high in meat that have greatly contributed to the flourishing of the human race generally and civilization more specifically. Consumed without unhealthy ingredients, there is simply no greater source of energy for the average person.

In conclusion, though many meat dishes are high in fat, salt, sugar, and carbohydrates, meat itself is an excellent and healthy source of protein that has historically been a part of the human diet. Individuals in this case as in all others should therefore pursue a more moderate approach.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

eat less meat compared to previous generations as don’t eat as many animal products compared to the past

clear evidence real proof

unhealthy contexts not in good foods/meals

generally healthy if prepared correctly overall better for you when made well

Those who argue that the people against

inherently in itself, naturally

point out modern insights into nutrition argue new ideas about eating healthy

infamously red meats notoriously beef, pork, lamb, etc.

contain have inside

build up increase

contribute to add to

leading cause of death globally main reason people die around the world

cardiovascular disease heart disease

meaty full of meat

saturated with heavy carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and other unhealthy fats full of unhealthy breads, salty foods, sweet foods and other oily foods

One standout example of this would be an illustrative instance of this is

most eaten meal items globally food that most people consume around the world

heart health cardiovascular health

buns bread for burgers

potentially possibly

toppings what you put on a burger

hinder short and long-term nutritional goals impair now and the future your health

on its own by itself

crucial due to high protein levels essential because of an essential amino acid

vegetarians people who don’t eat meat

vegans people who don’t eat any animal products

protein chicken, beef, etc.

sourced from gotten from

nutritious and vitamin-dense healthy and full of nutrients

Though there is some truth in this however this is somewhat the case

levels how much of it

low not high

certain essential compounds nutritious vitamins

found in located in

The best evidence for this comes not only from nutritional studies but also human prehistory this is best supported by science and the history of humanity

subsisting on diets high in consuming foods with lots of

greatly contributed to the flourishing of the human race generally a main reason why civilization exists

civilization more specifically society especially

Consumed without eaten but not with

ingredients what’s inside a food

no greater source of energy for the average person no better way to get energy for most people

meat dishes meals with meat

high in fat, salt, sugar, and carbohydrates lots of fat, salt, sugar, and carbs

excellent and healthy source of protein main way to get a nutrient for your muscles and energy

historically looking at the past

a part of the human diet something people eat on a daily basis

in this case as in all others always true

therefore pursue a more moderate approach thus look for a better way

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

iːt lɛs miːt kəmˈpeəd tuː ˈpriːviəs ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊnz æz
klɪər ˈɛvɪdᵊns
ʌnˈhɛlθi ˈkɒntɛksts
ˈʤɛnərəli ˈhɛlθi ɪf prɪˈpeəd kəˈrɛktli
ðəʊz huː ˈɑːɡjuː ðæt
ɪnˈhɛrᵊntli
pɔɪnt aʊt ˈmɒdᵊn ˈɪnsaɪts ˈɪntuː njuːˈtrɪʃᵊn
ˈɪnfəməsli rɛd miːts
kənˈteɪn
bɪld ʌp
kənˈtrɪbjuːt tuː
ˈliːdɪŋ kɔːz ɒv dɛθ ˈɡləʊbᵊli
ˌkɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələ dɪˈziːz
ˈmiːti
ˈsæʧəreɪtɪd wɪð ˈhɛvi ˈkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪts, sɒlt, ˈʃʊɡə, ænd ˈʌðər ʌnˈhɛlθi fæts
wʌn ˈstændaʊt ɪɡˈzɑːmpᵊl ɒv ðɪs wʊd biː
məʊst ˈiːtᵊn miːl ˈaɪtəmz ˈɡləʊbᵊli
hɑːt hɛlθ
bʌnz
pəˈtɛnʃᵊli
ˈtɒpɪŋz
ˈhaɪndə ʃɔːt ænd ˈlɒŋtɜːm njuːˈtrɪʃᵊnᵊl ɡəʊlz
ɒn ɪts əʊn
ˈkruːʃᵊl djuː tuː haɪ ˈprəʊtiːn ˈlɛvᵊlz
ˌvɛʤɪˈteəriənz
ˈviːɡənz
ˈprəʊtiːn
sɔːst frɒm
njuːˈtrɪʃəs ænd ˈvɪtəmɪn-dɛns
ðəʊ ðeər ɪz sʌm truːθ ɪn ðɪs
ˈlɛvᵊlz
ləʊ
ˈsɜːtᵊn ɪˈsɛnʃᵊl ˈkɒmpaʊndz
faʊnd ɪn
ðə bɛst ˈɛvɪdᵊns fɔː ðɪs kʌmz nɒt ˈəʊnli frɒm njuːˈtrɪʃᵊnᵊl ˈstʌdiz bʌt ˈɔːlsəʊ ˈhjuːmən priː ˈhɪstəri
səbˈsɪstɪŋ ɒn ˈdaɪəts haɪ ɪn
ˈɡreɪtli kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd tuː ðə ˈflʌrɪʃɪŋ ɒv ðə ˈhjuːmən reɪs ˈʤɛnərəli
ˌsɪvᵊlaɪˈzeɪʃᵊn mɔː spəˈsɪfɪkᵊli
kənˈsjuːmd wɪˈðaʊt
ɪnˈɡriːdiənts
nəʊ ˈɡreɪtə sɔːs ɒv ˈɛnəʤi fɔː ði ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsᵊn
miːt ˈdɪʃɪz
haɪ ɪn fæt, sɒlt, ˈʃʊɡə, ænd ˈkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪts
ˈɛksᵊlᵊnt ænd ˈhɛlθi sɔːs ɒv ˈprəʊtiːn
hɪˈstɒrɪkᵊli
ə pɑːt ɒv ðə ˈhjuːmən ˈdaɪət
ɪn ðɪs keɪs æz ɪn ɔːl ˈʌðəz
ˈðeəfɔː pəˈsjuː ə mɔː ˈmɒdərɪt əˈprəʊʧ

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 individuals e________________________________________________________s there is c______________e it may not be nutritious. In my opinion, although meat is often eaten in u_________________s, it is g_______________________________________y.

T______________________t meat is i_____________y unhealthy p_________________________________________n. Many meats, most i____________________________s such as pork and beef, c_________n fats that can b_______p and c__________o the l_________________________________________________e. Added to this is the fact that m______y dishes are often s_______________________________________________________________________s like butter. O______________________________________________e the cheeseburger, one of the m_______________________________y. Not only is the red meat bad for h_____________h but the b___s, cheese, and p______________y other t_____________s only h_____________________________________________s.

However, meat o________n is c____________________________________s. Many v______________s and v_________s would argue that p____________n can be s____________m a variety of n______________________e nuts and vegetables. T____________________________________s, the l________s of protein in other foods are l___w and there are c_______________________________s that can only be f_______n meat. T_______________________________________________________________________________________y. For thousands of years, people have been s______________________n meat that have g____________________________________________________________y and c________________________y. C______________________t unhealthy i____________s, there is simply n_______________________________________________________n.

In conclusion, though many m____________s are h___________________________________s, meat itself is an e______________________________________________n that has h______________y been a___________________t. Individuals i________________________s should t________________________________________h.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/meat-good-or-bad#:~:text=It’s%20a%20rich%20source%20of,production%20of%20cancer%2Dcausing%20chemicals.

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Favorite Foods

1. What are your favorite foods?
2. What were your favorite foods as a child?
3. What foods are becoming more popular in your country now?
4. What foods do you not like?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Everyone should become vegetarian because they do not need to eat meat to have a healthy diet.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Vegetarianism