The topic of reducing food waste in the hospitality industry has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the growing global concern for sustainability, it’s likely that this theme will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze how to craft high-scoring responses for different band levels.
Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Let’s examine a question that closely resembles those seen in recent IELTS exams:
Some people believe that hotels and restaurants should be required by law to donate their unused food to charities. Others think that businesses should be free to choose how they handle their excess food. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Question Analysis
This question addresses the issue of food waste in the hospitality industry, a topic that intersects with environmental concerns, business practices, and social responsibility. The task requires you to:
- Discuss the view that hotels and restaurants should be legally obligated to donate unused food.
- Explore the opposing view that businesses should have autonomy in managing their excess food.
- Provide your personal opinion on the matter.
Remember to maintain a balanced approach while clearly stating your position.
Sample Essays
Band 8-9 Essay
Food waste is a pressing issue in the hospitality industry, and opinions are divided on how to address it. While some advocate for legal mandates requiring hotels and restaurants to donate unused food, others argue for businesses to retain control over their resources. In my view, a balanced approach combining voluntary initiatives with supportive legislation would be most effective.
Those in favor of legally mandated food donation argue that it would significantly reduce waste and benefit society. They contend that many people struggle with food insecurity, and the excess from hospitality businesses could alleviate this problem. Moreover, mandatory donation could incentivize businesses to optimize their food management practices, leading to less overproduction. For instance, a law in France requiring supermarkets to donate unsold food has resulted in millions of meals being distributed to those in need.
On the other hand, proponents of business autonomy argue that companies should have the freedom to manage their resources as they see fit. They point out that donation involves logistical challenges and potential liability issues that some businesses may not be equipped to handle. Additionally, they argue that forced donation could lead to increased costs for businesses, potentially affecting their viability or leading to higher prices for consumers. For example, small family-run restaurants might struggle with the additional expenses and complexities of implementing a donation program.
In my opinion, a hybrid approach would be most beneficial. While I believe that reducing food waste should be a priority, I recognize the challenges that mandatory donation could pose for some businesses. Instead, I propose a system where businesses are strongly encouraged to donate through tax incentives and streamlined donation processes. This could be complemented by legislation that protects donors from liability and sets achievable waste reduction targets. Such an approach would foster a culture of responsible food management without imposing undue burdens on businesses.
In conclusion, addressing food waste in the hospitality industry requires a nuanced approach. By combining voluntary initiatives with supportive legislation, we can work towards reducing waste while respecting the operational realities of businesses. This balanced strategy has the potential to create meaningful change without stifling the industry’s ability to function effectively.
(Word count: 345)
Band 6-7 Essay
The issue of food waste in hotels and restaurants is a big problem today. Some people think these businesses should be forced by law to give away extra food, while others believe they should decide for themselves. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Those who support making food donation a legal requirement have some good points. They say it would help reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away, which is bad for the environment. Also, it could help feed hungry people in the community. For example, if a hotel has leftover food from a buffet, it could be given to a local shelter instead of being wasted.
However, people who think businesses should choose for themselves also have valid arguments. They worry that forced donation might be difficult for some restaurants, especially small ones. There might be problems with transporting the food safely or concerns about getting sued if someone gets sick. Additionally, some argue that it’s not fair to tell businesses what to do with their own property.
In my opinion, I think a mix of both approaches could work well. Instead of making it a strict law, the government could offer rewards like tax breaks to businesses that donate food. They could also help make it easier and safer for businesses to donate by providing guidelines and protection from lawsuits. This way, more businesses might choose to donate without feeling forced.
To conclude, while food waste in hotels and restaurants is a serious issue, I believe encouraging donation through incentives is better than making it mandatory. This approach could lead to more businesses participating willingly and help reduce food waste without causing too many problems for the hospitality industry.
(Word count: 276)
Band 5-6 Essay
Food waste is a big problem in hotels and restaurants. Some people think there should be a law to make these places give extra food to charity. Other people think businesses should choose what to do with their food. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want a law say it will help stop waste. They think it’s not good to throw away food when some people don’t have enough to eat. If hotels and restaurants have to give away extra food, it could help poor people. This sounds like a good idea.
But some people think businesses should decide for themselves. They say it might be hard for restaurants to give away food. It could cost money to take the food to charities. Also, restaurants might worry about getting in trouble if the food makes someone sick.
I think both sides have good points, but I agree more with making a law. I think it’s very important to not waste food. Even if it’s hard for businesses at first, they can find ways to make it work. Maybe the government can help them figure out how to give away food safely.
In conclusion, I believe there should be a law to make hotels and restaurants give away extra food. It’s important to help people who need food and to stop wasting it. But the law should also help businesses do this without too many problems.
(Word count: 234)
Essay Analysis
Band 8-9 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy, consistent with Band 8-9 performance.
-
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
-
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is cohesive with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices and organizational patterns effectively.
-
Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. Key phrases include “pressing issue,” “voluntary initiatives,” and “supportive legislation.”
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It uses complex sentences consistently and appropriately.
Band 6-7 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates features consistent with Band 6-7 performance.
-
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some parts are more fully extended than others.
-
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, with some use of cohesive devices. Paragraphing is generally logical.
-
Lexical Resource: It uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task. There are attempts at less common vocabulary, though not always successfully.
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Band 5-6 Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates features consistent with Band 5-6 performance.
-
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, but the format is simple, and points are not always well-developed.
-
Coherence and Cohesion: There is overall coherence, but cohesion within sentences is sometimes faulty. Paragraphing is evident but not always logical.
-
Lexical Resource: It uses a limited range of vocabulary, adequate for basic communication but lacking precision.
-
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay relies mainly on simple sentences. Errors occur, but the meaning is generally clear.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
-
Hospitality industry (noun) /ˌhɒspɪˈtæləti ˈɪndəstri/ – The sector of the economy that includes hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that provide services to travelers and tourists.
-
Food waste (noun) /fuːd weɪst/ – Edible food that is discarded or left to spoil, often in large quantities by businesses in the food service industry.
-
Mandatory (adjective) /ˈmændətəri/ – Required by law or rules; compulsory.
-
Incentivize (verb) /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – To encourage or motivate (someone) to do something by offering a reward.
-
Logistical (adjective) /ləˈdʒɪstɪkl/ – Relating to the careful organization of a complicated activity or process.
-
Liability (noun) /ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/ – The state of being legally responsible for something.
-
Streamlined (adjective) /ˈstriːmlaɪnd/ – Made more efficient and effective by removing unnecessary parts or simplifying processes.
-
Nuanced (adjective) /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression.
-
Autonomous (adjective) /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/ – Having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs.
-
Viable (adjective) /ˈvaɪəbl/ – Capable of working successfully; feasible.
Conclusion
The topic of reducing food waste in the hospitality industry is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of technology in reducing food waste in restaurants
- Government policies to encourage sustainable practices in the hospitality industry
- The impact of consumer awareness on food waste reduction in hotels and restaurants
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammar structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and consider sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS exam.