Plan this problem and solution essay about family with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many homes, family members rarely eat meals together.
What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
In many homes, family members rarely eat meals together. This essay will discuss the problems this causes and suggest some solutions.
The first problem is weaker family relationships. Mealtimes are often the only part of the day when everyone is in the same room, and without them parents and children have fewer chances to talk about school, work and worries. Problems such as bullying or stress may go unnoticed. Secondly, health suffers. Family members who eat separately are more likely to choose fast food or snacks in front of a screen, while meals prepared at home tend to be more balanced. Research has linked regular family meals with lower rates of obesity and eating disorders among teenagers. Finally, children miss opportunities to learn manners, conversation skills and cultural traditions, which are often passed on around the table.
There are several practical solutions. Families can set aside a fixed time for at least one meal a day, perhaps dinner or a weekend brunch, and treat it as a priority. Rules such as banning phones and television at the table encourage genuine conversation. Cooking together can make the occasion enjoyable, with children helping to choose and prepare dishes. Where timetables conflict, families can adjust by eating a little later or shifting the meal to breakfast. Employers and schools can help by avoiding unnecessary late meetings and activities, so that parents and children can be home at a reasonable hour. Governments might also encourage flexible working hours as part of broader family policy.
In conclusion, the decline of shared meals weakens family bonds, harms health and reduces the transmission of social skills. Setting a regular time, removing distractions and involving everyone in preparation would help families to restore this valuable habit.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| family meal | food shared by all members at home |
| sit down together | eat at the same table |
| busy timetable | schedule filled with activities |
| communication within the family | conversation among relatives |
| fast food | quickly prepared restaurant food |
| family routine | regular pattern of family life |
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