Plan this opinion 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:
The best way to help the environment is for everyone to eat less meat or become vegetarian.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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.
Some people claim that eating less meat, or becoming vegetarian, is the best thing individuals can do for the environment. I agree that reducing meat consumption is highly beneficial, but I would not say it is the only or necessarily the best action.
The environmental case against meat is strong. Livestock farming produces a considerable share of global greenhouse gases, mainly because cattle release methane, and it uses vast amounts of land and water. Large areas of forest, such as the Amazon, have been cleared to create pasture or to grow animal feed. A plant-based diet needs far fewer resources, since crops can be eaten directly by people instead of being fed to animals first. There are health benefits too, as diets rich in vegetables and pulses are linked to lower rates of heart disease.
Even so, I believe other actions can have a larger impact. Transport and energy production are responsible for a greater share of emissions than agriculture, so using public transport, insulating homes and switching to renewable power are very effective. In addition, diet is closely linked to nutrition and culture. In some regions, such as Mongolia or parts of the Arctic, meat and dairy are essential sources of nutrients and have been central to life for centuries, and millions of people in farming communities depend on livestock for their income. A global move to vegetarianism would be impractical and could harm these groups.
A more realistic approach is moderation. If people in wealthy countries ate meat less often and chose sustainable sources, the effect on the climate would be significant without causing hardship elsewhere.
In conclusion, eating less meat is an important contribution, but it works best alongside changes in energy and transport rather than as a single solution.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| vegetarian | person who does not eat meat |
| livestock farming | raising animals for food |
| greenhouse gas | gas that traps heat |
| plant-based diet | diet made mainly of plants |
| meat consumption | amount of meat eaten |
| carbon emissions | release of carbon gases |
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