In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by fast food. This has a negative impact on families, individuals and societies. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
IELTS Writing Task 2 : Opinion Essay
Sample Answer 1 : Band 8
Nowadays, the newer generation is more interested in fast food than their native food items.
This particular adaptation is not just detrimental for families but individuals and societies as
whole too. I totally agree with this statement as losing interest in the traditional food may
detach them from their culture. In the forthcoming paragraphs, I shall explain my point of
view.
Undoubtedly, junk foods are regarded as one of the preferred meals of the majority of people.
However, this type of diet is least suggested by health advisors and dieticians. Also, these food
products and beverages are liable for a gamut of emerging diseases, obesity being one of them.
For instance, burgers and pizzas have a humongous amount of fat. Despite being scrumptious,
they can lead to an increase in weight, resulting in negative impacts on the health.
Traditional food comprises a balanced amount of vitamins, proteins, and more such essential
nutrients, which are essential for us to consume and be active and fit. Thus, these types of food
items keep us away from unwanted diseases and help us be more productive while keeping
dizziness and lethargy at bay. Not to mention, the spices and other ingredients available in the
Indian food contain a variety of medicinal properties that safeguard our immune system. For
instance, having a glass of milk with turmeric once a day can do wonders for our body.
Despite all the advantages, I am also aware of the other side of the story as fast food items are
quick to be prepared and don’t consume a lot of time.
Wrapping it up, it is evident that our priority should be to stay healthy and active while
refraining from indulging in such activities that may cause trouble and stress. For this specific
reason, going with traditional food rather than unhealthy, fast food should be the first priority.
Structure of the essay
You were given an opinion essay which means you had to pick a side. So,
• Do you agree that traditional foods are being replaced by fast food?
(or)
· Do you disagree with the fact that traditional foods are being replaced by fast food?
Once you pick a side, you can start planning your essay and then writing it.
Don’t forget to state your opinion on it.
Question Paraphrased – The newer generation is more interested in fast food than their native
food items. This particular adaptation is not just detrimental for families but individuals and
societies as a whole.
Opinion – I totally agree with this statement as losing interest in the traditional food may detach
them from their culture.
A thesis statement – In the forthcoming paragraphs, I shall explain my point of view.
Body Paragraph 1:
Topic: Disadvantages of junk food
Supporting points:
• Liable for a gamut of emerging diseases
• Have humongous amount of fat
• Leads to increase in weight
• Leave negative impacts on health
Body Paragraph 2:
Topic: Benefits of traditional food
Supporting points:
• Comprises a balanced amount of vitamins, proteins and more
• Keep us away from unwanted diseases
• Helps us be more productive
• Spices contain a variety of medicinal properties
Conclusion:
Reiterated that our priority should be to stay healthy and active while refraining from indulging
in such activities that may cause trouble and stress and supported the side taken in
introduction.
Sample Answer 2 : Band 9
Nowadays, the generation appears keen to prefer fast foods rather than their own native foods. Therefore, this adaptation, in particular, may not be beneficial for the youths, as traditional foods tend to lose its existence could be a sign of detachment from one’s culture. I completely agree that it has a counter impact on our society.
On the one hand, junk foods are considered as one of the favourite meals of the majority. However, it is the least suggested diet by dieticians or health advisors. Furthermore, these types of beverages are responsible for many emerging diseases, one of them is obesity. For example, pizzas and burgers have a humungous amount of fat. Although it tastes delicious, it causes an increase in weight, which is not good for health.
One the other hand, the local foods contain a balanced amount of protein, vitamins, etc. which is important for us to consume in order to be fit and active. Hence, these types of meals do not cause dizziness and help us perform our day to day activities without feeling lazy. These items also have medicinal properties that guard us against minor viral diseases. For instance, having a glass of milk with turmeric in a day saves us from throat infections and strengthens our immunity.
In conclusion, our priority should be keeping ourselves active and healthy, so that we can get indulged in a plethora of activities without feeling restless and stressed. For this reason, it is a must for us to vouch on traditional food and lesser on fast food. Thus, a happy mind mitigates stress and motivate us to live for a longer period of time.
Sample Answer 3 : Band 9
Nowadays consumption of fast food has exceeded the imbibing rates of a home-made bread. This is believed that usage of such eatables has a devastationg effect starting from an individual to the society. I, thoroughly agree with this notion. This essay shall present various disdvantages of ready-to-use edibles with relevant examples.
To embark with negatives that this form of meal has on a person is that these substances makes youngsters plumper. This is because these materials contain high content of fats and carbohydrates in them. Thus, decreasing the efficiency of doing work. Moving further, such consumed stuff is often found to be the culprit of serious health ailments like: heart attack; due to deposition of extravagant fatty product in the arteries of the heart. For example, this could be observed that the people, who eat those old diets suffer less from obesity and chest pain in comparison to the middle aged humans, who prefer digesting precooked foods.
Additionally, this might have a deterring impact not only on the family but on the community as well. These items are expensive enough so, spending a lot on these might disturb the family-budget. For example, an employee, who is working on a monthly earning of ten thousand rupees, having a habit of intaking frozen snack may exhaust about thirty percent of his perk on them. Consequently, unable to save enough money for other deeds. Moreover, the waste produced from the stalls and the packages of these eating items leads to gyrating soil pollution. Hence , making the landscape less picturesque.
In conclusion, although these saves ample time of masses still it is infrutous, as this might impose risks to the physical fitness, arise financial crisis and promote degradation of the soil. At last, I would like to reiterate such feed should be avoided keeping in minds their impacts.
Sample Answer 4 : Band 8.5
With the globalisation and international trade facilities, international fast food brands are present in almost all major cities around the world. Fast food chains like Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Starbucks, KFC and McDonald’s are quite popular among the people in all continents. It is true that the international fast foods are gaining more popularity while they are replacing the intake of traditional foods in many countries. In my opinion, this trend has severe negative consequences both on our family and society.
First of all, people love to eat fast foods. Thus Pizza, Burger, Pepsi, Sandwich etc. are more popular among teens, office employees and other people than the traditional foods they have. The number of fast food shops is growing every day and this is quite alarming. With the busy lifestyle, people are solely relying on fast food items than preparing traditional foods at home. In a busy city, someone scarcely wants to spend time preparing foods for the family while s/he prefers to order fast foods from home. Thus we have fast food shops in every corner of our city streets while many city dwellers do not have time to prepare traditional yet hygienic and organic foods at home. As a consequence, we already have a society where overweight is a common problem. For instance, according to the recent statistics published by the healthcare ministry, every child out of 15 in our country is suffering from some kind of weight-related problems and fast food is the only reasons for that.
Second, fast food is the reason we see increasing number of obese people in our community. They diet habit is directly related to our physical and mental health and the reliance on fast food is destroying the overall health of our new generation. Thirdly, the fast food items have little hygiene and lots of fats and this is one of the reasons people suffer from so many diseases these days. An ill or overweight child is sometimes a burden for a family. Food preparation and having meals together in a family is a tradition that not only brings family members together but also ensures their sound health and relationship. However, the international fast foods are decreasing our family bonding on one hand and they are severely deteriorating our health on the other hand.
Finally, society and country have to allocate more budgets to treat the ill population while our reliance on fast food will only increase the number of ill people in a society. From this regards, international fast food chains is a great headache for any country. Traditional foods not only represent the tradition and value of a society but also offer the best nutrition and healthy ingredients to us. On the contrary, international fast foods destroy our well-being by decaying our health slowly and also generate a fast food loving new generation that will suffer from numerous diseases and will have a little respect for their own culture and tradition.
In conclusion, it is a very pressing issue that we are relying more on fast foods than preparing traditional foods at home. This has so many negative consequences that individuals, as well as the government, should take quick and effective steps to revert the dreadful trends of eating fast foods.
Sample Answer 5 : Band 7.0
In a large number of countries, people are moving away from traditional foods and turning to international fast foods. I think this has a negative impact on both families and societies because eating these foods does not provide many opportunities for parents to build strong bonds with their children, and it also causes many countries to become more obese than ever before.
Preparing national dishes together can be an excellent bonding activity for parents and children. To teach a child how to cook a traditional meal, their parents might first take them to a supermarket to pick up ingredients, and then guide them step-by-step on how to turn these ingredients into delicious dishes. These informal activities are a great way for their parents to show how much they love them. Unfortunately, as multinational fast-food outlets become increasingly common, more parents are grabbing fast food for their children for dinner, which means less bonding time.
In addition, many countries have a growing population of obese people due to the spread of global fast-food chains. This is because fast food is generally high in calories, fat and sodium, a combination that greatly increases the risk of weight gain. For example, in Brazil, the rapid expansion of major U.S. fast-food chains has led to an increase in new obesity cases in recent years, at one million annually. Overweight people are prone to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease later in life, bringing burdens to their nations’ medical care systems.
In conclusion, fast food replacing traditional food has a negative impact on both families and societies because it does not create circumstances in which parents can bond with their children, and it also causes an obesity problem.
Sample Answer 6 : Band 8.0
In this era of globalization, there has been an immense infusion of foreign fast food companies into the local markets of developing nations. A number of of masses believes that it is proving to be detrimental for native families and localities as it is replacing their home-cooked meals. To which, I also completely accord with.
The major drawback I feel that these foreign food giants have is they charge a hefty amount for the food they sell. Global cuisines like burgers, pizzas or even a pack of french fries is pricey in nature. They are marketed heavily by these international brands in local markets. As a result, their cost of production shoots up. Therefore, it adds into the price of such foods. The burden of which ultimately falls on the shoulders of consumers. Whereas in house meals consists of locally grown raw materials which needs no advertisements, thereby costing far less to produce and consume.
Moreover, another point to consider is the nutritional value of these junk foods. Primarily, these foods are devoid of all the micro and macro nutrients, which is essential for human body. Most of them consists of high saturated fats, which are proved to be high in cholesterol, leading to obesity. Additionally, they are also filled with harmful chemicals like AGINOMOTO, which are used as taste enhancers by the companies. Making them mouth watering and relishing to indulge in. Whereas, it is not the case with indigenous foods like locally grown pulses, rice or legumes that have high contents of proteins and fibers in them. Therefore, fast foods being savory to eat, have no health benefits.
To conclude, as per the above discussed points, I stand clear that global fast foods have adverse effects on the local people as it is low in nutritional content and highly priced, putting a toll on the consumer’s pocket. Hence, it is worthwhile to indulge in local delicacies in order to stay healthy and disease free.
