IELTS Reading Practice: How to Create a Sustainable Diet

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant traction in recent years: sustainable diets. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance in global discussions about health and the environment, it’s likely to feature in future tests as well.

Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current trends, the topic of sustainable diets has shown up in approximately 15% of Reading tests over the last five years. Its relevance to both personal health and global sustainability makes it a prime candidate for future exams. Let’s dive into a practice reading passage on this subject to help you prepare for your IELTS test.

Reading Passage

How to Create a Sustainable Diet

A sustainable diet is one that is healthy for both the individual and the planet. It involves choosing foods that have a lower environmental impact while still providing all the necessary nutrients for optimal health. Creating such a diet requires careful consideration of various factors, including food sources, production methods, and nutritional content.

One of the key aspects of a sustainable diet is reducing meat consumption, particularly red meat. Livestock farming is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Instead, plant-based proteins such as legumes, nuts, and seeds can provide essential amino acids with a much lower environmental footprint. These foods are not only eco-friendly but also offer numerous health benefits, including lower risks of heart disease and certain cancers.

Another important element is choosing locally sourced and seasonal produce. This approach reduces the carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation and supports local economies. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often more nutrient-dense and flavorful, as they are harvested at their peak ripeness. Additionally, buying from local farmers’ markets or participating in community-supported agriculture programs can help strengthen the connection between consumers and food producers.

Reducing food waste is crucial for a sustainable diet. Globally, about one-third of all food produced is wasted, contributing to unnecessary resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. Meal planning, proper food storage, and creative use of leftovers can significantly reduce household food waste. Composting inedible food scraps can further minimize environmental impact by returning nutrients to the soil.

Sustainable diets also prioritize minimally processed foods. Highly processed foods often require more energy to produce and package, and they frequently contain additives that may have negative health effects. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins form the foundation of a diet that is both sustainable and nutritious.

Water conservation is another critical aspect of sustainable eating. Some foods, such as almonds and avocados, require large amounts of water to produce. While these foods have nutritional benefits, consuming them in moderation and opting for more water-efficient alternatives when possible can help reduce overall water usage.

Lastly, considering the packaging of food products is essential. Choosing items with minimal or recyclable packaging can significantly reduce plastic waste. Bringing reusable bags and containers for shopping and storage can further decrease the environmental impact of food consumption.

Creating a sustainable diet is not about perfection but about making informed choices that benefit both personal health and the planet. By gradually incorporating these principles into daily food choices, individuals can contribute to a more sustainable food system while enjoying nutritious and delicious meals.

Sustainable Diet Infographic

Questions

True/False/Not Given

1. Sustainable diets prioritize individual health over environmental impact.
2. Plant-based proteins have a lower environmental footprint compared to red meat.
3. Seasonal produce is always more expensive than non-seasonal options.
4. Composting food scraps can help return nutrients to the soil.
5. Highly processed foods require more energy to produce than whole foods.

Multiple Choice

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a key aspect of a sustainable diet?
   A) Reducing meat consumption
   B) Choosing organic foods
   C) Minimizing food waste
   D) Selecting locally sourced produce

7. The passage suggests that consuming water-intensive foods like almonds and avocados:
   A) Should be completely avoided
   B) Is essential for a balanced diet
   C) Should be done in moderation
   D) Has no impact on sustainability

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the appropriate paragraphs in the passage. You may use each heading only once.

8. The importance of packaging choices
9. Balancing nutrition and environmental impact
10. Supporting local food systems
11. Minimizing waste in food consumption

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

12. What type of proteins are suggested as alternatives to red meat?
13. What practice can help strengthen the connection between consumers and food producers?
14. According to the passage, approximately what fraction of global food production is wasted?

Answer Key

1. False – The passage states that a sustainable diet is “healthy for both the individual and the planet.”

2. True – The passage mentions that plant-based proteins have “a much lower environmental footprint.”

3. Not Given – The passage doesn’t compare the cost of seasonal and non-seasonal produce.

4. True – The passage states that “Composting inedible food scraps can further minimize environmental impact by returning nutrients to the soil.”

5. True – The passage mentions that “Highly processed foods often require more energy to produce and package.”

6. B – The passage does not mention choosing organic foods as a key aspect of a sustainable diet.

7. C – The passage suggests consuming water-intensive foods “in moderation.”

8. Paragraph 7

9. Paragraph 1

10. Paragraph 2

11. Paragraph 4

12. Plant-based proteins

13. Community-supported agriculture

14. One-third

Common Mistakes

When answering questions about sustainable diets, students often make the following mistakes:

1. Confusing personal health benefits with environmental benefits.
2. Overlooking the importance of local and seasonal food in sustainable diets.
3. Misinterpreting statements about food waste and its impact.
4. Failing to recognize the connection between food processing and sustainability.
5. Overlooking nuanced recommendations, such as moderating consumption of water-intensive foods rather than avoiding them entirely.

Vocabulary

• Sustainable: /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adjective) – able to be maintained at a certain rate or level
• Environmental footprint: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ (noun) – the impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated
• Deforestation: /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ (noun) – the action of clearing a wide area of trees
• Nutrient-dense: /ˈnjuːtrɪənt dens/ (adjective) – containing a high amount of nutrients relative to the number of calories
• Community-supported agriculture: /kəˈmjuːnəti səˈpɔːtɪd ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃə/ (noun) – a system that connects producers and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of comparative and superlative forms in discussing sustainability:

• Comparative: “Plant-based proteins… can provide essential amino acids with a much lower environmental footprint.”
• Superlative: “Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often more nutrient-dense and flavorful, as they are harvested at their peak ripeness.”

Practice using these forms to compare different aspects of sustainable diets:

• Good → Better → Best
• Sustainable → More sustainable → Most sustainable
• Environmentally friendly → More environmentally friendly → Most environmentally friendly

Tips for High Scores in IELTS Reading

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely among the three sections of the Reading test.
2. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify key information without reading every word.
3. Pay attention to question types: Familiarize yourself with various question formats to approach them efficiently.
4. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.
5. Read actively: Engage with the text by predicting content, questioning information, and making connections.
6. Focus on keywords: Identify important words in both the questions and the passage to locate relevant information quickly.
7. Practice regularly: Use a variety of reading materials to improve your comprehension and speed.
8. Review your answers: If time allows, double-check your responses for accuracy and completeness.

By incorporating these strategies and regularly practicing with diverse texts on topics like sustainable diets, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section. Remember, creating a sustainable diet plan is not only beneficial for your IELTS preparation but also for your personal health and the environment. As you study, consider exploring related topics such as the benefits of plant-based diets and how to reduce your environmental impact in daily life. These interconnected subjects will broaden your understanding and prepare you for a wide range of potential IELTS Reading passages.