Plan this positive or negative 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:
Young people in many countries prefer international fast food to their own traditional dishes.
Is this a positive or negative development?
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.
Many young people today choose international fast food over the traditional dishes of their own countries. I think this is mainly a negative development, although it is not without some benefits.
On the positive side, international food adds variety and convenience. Young people enjoy trying new tastes, and fast food is quick, inexpensive and available almost everywhere, which suits busy students and workers. Eating foreign food can also be a way of learning about other cultures, and the arrival of international chains creates jobs for local employees, from kitchen staff to managers.
Nevertheless, I believe the negative effects are greater. Firstly, traditional recipes are part of a nation's heritage, passed down through families for generations. If young people stop eating and cooking them, the knowledge disappears and festive dishes lose their meaning. Secondly, there are health concerns. Fast food is often high in fat, sugar and salt, and regular consumption is linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease, whereas many traditional diets rely on fresh vegetables, grains and home preparation. Thirdly, local producers suffer. Farmers and small restaurants that supply traditional ingredients lose customers to large chains that buy from their own suppliers, so the rural economy can be damaged.
I do not think the answer is to prevent young people from enjoying international food, but to ensure that their own cuisine remains attractive. Schools can include traditional cooking in lessons, restaurants can present local dishes in modern ways, and food festivals can raise their profile. If young people see traditional food as fashionable and tasty, they will continue to eat it alongside international options.
In conclusion, foreign fast food brings variety and convenience, but the loss of food heritage, health risks and damage to local producers make it a largely negative trend.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| traditional dish | food from long ago in a culture |
| culinary heritage | food traditions |
| international chain | restaurant brand in many countries |
| regional specialities | local dishes |
| dietary habits | food routines |
| homemade | made at home |
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