The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about food preferences and how they change over time. One popular topic is describing a food you disliked but now enjoy. This question allows candidates to showcase their vocabulary, fluency, and ability to discuss personal experiences. Let’s explore how to effectively answer this question and similar ones in the IELTS Speaking exam.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, the examiner may ask general questions about your food preferences. Here are some common questions and a sample answer:

1. Are there any foods you disliked as a child?
2. How have your food preferences changed over time?
3. What’s your favorite food now?

Sample answer (Band 7-8):

“As a child, I absolutely detested broccoli. I found its texture unappealing and its taste quite bitter. However, as I’ve grown older, my palate has evolved, and I’ve come to appreciate its nutritional value and subtle flavor. Now, I thoroughly enjoy broccoli, especially when it’s roasted with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic.”

Describe a restaurant you recently visited that serves a dish you previously disliked but now enjoy. This experience can provide valuable insight into how our tastes change over time.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card related to the topic:

Describe A Food You Disliked But Now Enjoy
You should say:

• What the food is
• Why you disliked it before
• How you started to like it
• And explain how you feel about it now

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

“I’d like to talk about mushrooms, a food I once despised but now absolutely adore. As a child, I found their spongy texture and earthy flavor quite unpalatable. The mere sight of mushrooms on my plate would make me cringe.

My aversion to mushrooms stemmed from a combination of factors. Firstly, their appearance was off-putting to me – they looked like little umbrellas growing in damp places. Secondly, I associated them with a bad experience I had at a family dinner where I was forced to eat a mushroom soup that made me feel ill.

However, my perception began to change when I moved to a new city for university. My roommate was an avid cook and often prepared dishes with various types of mushrooms. The aroma that filled our apartment was tantalizing, and slowly, I became curious about trying them again.

One evening, she made a wild mushroom risotto that looked and smelled incredible. I decided to give it a try, and to my surprise, I found it delicious. The mushrooms added a rich, savory depth to the dish that I hadn’t appreciated before. This experience opened my eyes to the culinary potential of mushrooms.

Now, I’m a huge fan of mushrooms and actively seek out dishes that feature them. I love experimenting with different varieties like shiitake, portobello, and chanterelles in my cooking. I find their umami flavor adds a wonderful dimension to many dishes, and I appreciate their versatility in both vegetarian and meat-based recipes.

My journey with mushrooms has taught me that our tastes can evolve significantly over time, and it’s worth revisiting foods we once disliked. It’s also made me more open-minded about trying new foods in general, as I’ve realized that preparation and context can greatly influence our perception of taste.”

Mushroom risotto on a plate

Follow-up questions:

1. How has your newfound appreciation for mushrooms affected your cooking habits?
2. Are there any other foods you’ve changed your mind about recently?

Sample answers:

Band 6-7:

1. “My love for mushrooms has definitely influenced my cooking. I now incorporate them into many dishes, like pasta and stir-fries. It’s made my meals more varied and nutritious.”

2. “Yes, I’ve also started to enjoy olives recently. I used to find them too salty, but now I appreciate their unique flavor in salads and on pizzas.”

Band 8-9:

1. “Discovering my passion for mushrooms has revolutionized my approach to cooking. I’ve become more adventurous in the kitchen, experimenting with various mushroom varieties in both traditional and innovative recipes. This newfound appreciation has also led me to explore foraging, learning to identify wild mushrooms under expert guidance, which has added an exciting dimension to my culinary journey.”

2. “Indeed, my experience with mushrooms has sparked a broader culinary curiosity. Recently, I’ve developed a taste for blue cheese, which I once found overpowering. I’ve learned to savor its complex flavors and now enjoy pairing it with fruits and nuts. This shift has made me more open-minded about trying foods I previously avoided, leading to a more diverse and exciting palate.”

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: How do you think our food preferences change as we grow older?

Sample answers:

Band 6-7:
“I believe our food preferences change due to exposure to different cuisines and experiences. As we grow older, we become more willing to try new things and our tastes mature. Also, our understanding of nutrition can influence what we choose to eat.”

Band 8-9:
“Our evolving food preferences are a fascinating aspect of human development. As we age, several factors come into play. Firstly, our physiological changes can alter our perception of taste and smell, potentially making us more receptive to flavors we once found unappealing. Secondly, increased exposure to diverse cuisines through travel, social interactions, and media can broaden our culinary horizons.

Moreover, our growing awareness of nutrition and health often leads us to reassess our dietary choices, sometimes rekindling an interest in previously disliked foods for their health benefits. Lastly, our emotional maturity allows us to approach food with a more open mind, often overcoming childhood aversions based on texture or appearance. This multifaceted evolution of our palate reflects not just changes in our taste buds, but also in our overall life experiences and knowledge.”

Is there any food you dislike ielts candidates often discuss? Understanding common food aversions can help you prepare diverse examples for your speaking test.

Examiner: Do you think it’s important for parents to encourage children to try foods they dislike?

Sample answers:

Band 6-7:
“Yes, I think it’s important for parents to encourage children to try new foods. It helps children develop a varied diet and be more open-minded. However, parents should be patient and not force children, as this might create negative associations with certain foods.”

Band 8-9:
“Absolutely, I believe it’s crucial for parents to encourage children to expand their palates, including trying foods they initially dislike. This approach serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it promotes nutritional diversity, ensuring children receive a wide range of essential nutrients for their growth and development. Secondly, it cultivates adaptability and open-mindedness, valuable traits that extend beyond food preferences into other areas of life.

However, the method of encouragement is paramount. Parents should create a positive and pressure-free environment for food exploration. This might involve creative presentation of foods, involving children in meal preparation, or leading by example. It’s also important to recognize that taste preferences can take time to develop, often requiring multiple exposures. By maintaining a patient and persistent approach, parents can help children overcome food aversions without creating negative associations or power struggles around mealtimes.

Moreover, this process can be an excellent opportunity to teach children about cultural diversity through food, fostering respect and curiosity for different culinary traditions. Ultimately, encouraging children to try disliked foods, when done thoughtfully, can contribute to their overall development and well-being.”

Child tasting a new vegetable

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

1. Evolve (verb) /ɪˈvɒlv/ – develop gradually
   Example: “My taste in food has evolved over the years.”

2. Palate (noun) /ˈpælət/ – sense of taste
   Example: “As my palate matured, I began to appreciate more complex flavors.”

3. Aversion (noun) /əˈvɜːʃn/ – strong dislike
   Example: “I had a strong aversion to seafood as a child.”

4. Culinary (adjective) /ˈkʌlɪnəri/ – related to cooking or kitchen
   Example: “Traveling broadened my culinary horizons.”

5. Versatile (adjective) /ˈvɜːsətaɪl/ – adaptable, multi-purpose
   Example: “I now appreciate the versatile nature of mushrooms in cooking.”

6. Umami (noun) /uːˈmɑːmi/ – savory taste
   Example: “The umami flavor of mushrooms adds depth to many dishes.”

7. Tantalize (verb) /ˈtæntəlaɪz/ – tease or torment with the sight or promise of something unobtainable
   Example: “The aroma of the dish tantalized my senses.”

Describe a place that you discovered recently where you tried a new food. This can be an excellent way to combine topics and showcase your vocabulary range.

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing food preferences:

1. Use a wide range of vocabulary related to food, cooking, and taste.
2. Provide detailed explanations and examples to support your points.
3. Show your ability to discuss abstract concepts like changing preferences over time.
4. Use a variety of grammatical structures and tenses to describe past experiences and current feelings.
5. Maintain fluency by practicing speaking about your food experiences beforehand.
6. Be prepared to discuss related topics such as nutrition, cultural differences in food, and the impact of globalization on cuisine.

Remember, the key to success is not just in knowing the vocabulary, but in using it naturally and appropriately within the context of your responses. Practice regularly, and don’t be afraid to express your genuine opinions and experiences.