The importance of healthy eating in school cafeterias has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 over the past few years. Based on recent trends, it’s likely to appear in future tests as well. This subject touches on crucial aspects of education, health, and social responsibility, making it a prime candidate for IELTS essays. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams:
Some people believe that school cafeterias should be required to provide only healthy food options, while others think students should have a variety of food choices. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question presents a balanced argument about the types of food that should be available in school cafeterias. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that school cafeterias should only offer healthy food options
- Explore the opposing view that students should have various food choices
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, analyzing why they achieve their respective scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, the debate over the types of food served in school cafeterias has intensified, with some advocating for exclusively healthy options while others support a diverse menu. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint on this contentious issue.
Proponents of limiting school cafeteria menus to healthy options argue that this approach is crucial for students’ well-being and academic performance. They contend that by offering only nutritious meals, schools can instill good eating habits in children from an early age, potentially reducing the risk of obesity and related health problems in the future. Moreover, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has been linked to improved cognitive function and concentration, which could lead to better academic outcomes.
On the other hand, those who favor a variety of food choices in school cafeterias emphasize the importance of personal freedom and responsibility. They argue that students should have the opportunity to make their own dietary decisions, as this helps them develop critical thinking skills and learn about balanced nutrition through practice. Additionally, a diverse menu can cater to different cultural preferences and dietary requirements, ensuring that all students have access to meals they enjoy and can eat.
In my opinion, while the intention behind offering only healthy food is commendable, a balanced approach would be more beneficial. I believe that school cafeterias should predominantly offer nutritious options but also include a limited selection of less healthy foods. This strategy would provide students with the opportunity to make informed choices while still encouraging healthier eating habits. Furthermore, schools could implement educational programs about nutrition alongside the cafeteria offerings, empowering students with the knowledge to make wise food choices both in and out of school.
In conclusion, the issue of food options in school cafeterias is complex, with valid arguments on both sides. However, a compromise that prioritizes healthy eating while still allowing for some variety seems to be the most pragmatic and effective solution. This approach would support students’ health and academic performance while also teaching them valuable life skills regarding nutrition and decision-making.
Should junk food be banned from schools?
Healthy food options in a school cafeteria
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay achieves a high band score for several reasons:
Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically connected using cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Examples include “contentious issue,” “instill good eating habits,” and “cognitive function.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as “Proponents of limiting school cafeteria menus to healthy options argue that this approach is crucial for students’ well-being and academic performance.”
Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The food served in school cafeterias is a topic that many people have different opinions about. Some think that only healthy food should be available, while others believe students should have more choices. This essay will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Those who support only healthy food in school cafeterias say it’s important for students’ health. They think that if students eat healthy food at school, they will be healthier and do better in their studies. Healthy food can help students concentrate better and have more energy. Also, if schools only serve healthy food, it can teach students good eating habits that they can use for the rest of their lives.
On the other hand, people who want more food choices in school cafeterias have different reasons. They believe that students should learn to make their own decisions about what to eat. If there are different types of food available, students can learn about balance and moderation. Also, some students might have special diets or come from different cultures, so having more food options can help them find something they like to eat.
In my opinion, I think it’s better to have mostly healthy food in school cafeterias, but also some other choices. This way, students can learn about healthy eating, but they also have some freedom to choose what they want. Schools could offer mostly healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but also have a small selection of other foods. This could help students learn how to make good food choices on their own.
To conclude, while both sides have good points, I believe a mix of mostly healthy food with some other options is the best solution for school cafeterias. This approach can help students learn about nutrition and make good choices while still having some variety in their meals.
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay achieves a band score of 6-7 for the following reasons:
Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and providing an opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, with clear paragraphing. Some cohesive devices are used, but they could be more varied.
Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, with some attempts at more sophisticated words. However, the language is sometimes repetitive.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, with generally good control. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Development of Ideas: Main ideas are present and supported, but the level of detail and explanation could be improved.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Nutritious (adjective) /njuːˈtrɪʃəs/ – containing substances necessary for growth and good health
- Obesity (noun) /əʊˈbiːsəti/ – the state of being very fat or overweight
- Cognitive function (noun phrase) /ˈkɒɡnətɪv ˈfʌŋkʃən/ – mental abilities or processes related to knowledge, attention, memory, judgment, and problem-solving
- Diverse (adjective) /daɪˈvɜːs/ – showing a great deal of variety
- Instill (verb) /ɪnˈstɪl/ – gradually but firmly establish an idea or attitude in a person’s mind
- Pragmatic (adjective) /præɡˈmætɪk/ – dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations
- Contentious (adjective) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial
- Moderation (noun) /ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃn/ – the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one’s behavior or political opinions
Students choosing healthy food in a school cafeteria
Conclusion
The topic of healthy eating in school cafeterias is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. Other potential questions on this theme might include:
- Should governments regulate the food served in school cafeterias?
- Do you think education about nutrition should be a mandatory part of the school curriculum?
- How can schools encourage students to make healthier food choices?
To improve your writing skills, try composing your own essay on the question provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section for feedback and discussion with other learners. Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your response, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures to express your ideas clearly and effectively.