Plan this problem and solution essay about food 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:
Huge amounts of food are thrown away every day by shops, restaurants and households.
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.
Enormous quantities of food are discarded daily by retailers, restaurants and ordinary households. This essay will discuss the problems this causes and propose solutions.
The consequences are serious. Environmentally, rotting food in landfill releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, and all the water, energy and land used to produce it are wasted as well. There is also an ethical problem: while millions of people go hungry, perfectly edible food is thrown into the bin. Economically, waste is costly for businesses and for families, who lose a significant share of their grocery spending without realising it.
The causes are varied. Strict sell-by dates lead shops to remove products that are still safe to eat, and special offers on large packs encourage shoppers to buy more than they can use. Restaurants frequently prepare too much food, and customers leave large portions on their plates.
Several measures could help. Supermarkets and restaurants could donate unsold but safe food to charities and food banks, as French law has required since 2016. Governments could reinforce this with fines for companies that throw away edible food and with tax incentives for those which donate. Households also need guidance. Public campaigns and school lessons can explain the difference between a sell-by and a use-by date, how to store food properly, how to plan meals and how to use leftovers, which should make people more careful. Retailers can contribute by selling smaller packs and offering discounts on products that are close to their date instead of throwing them away.
In conclusion, food waste harms the environment, the economy and the hungry. Donation schemes, financial incentives and public education would reduce it significantly.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| food waste | food thrown away |
| sell-by date | date after which a shop should not sell |
| surplus | extra amount |
| food bank | charity giving food to the needy |
| landfill | place where rubbish is buried |
| buy in bulk | buy large quantities |
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