As an IELTS instructor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve encountered countless students grappling with the seemingly simple yet surprisingly tricky IELTS Speaking questions. One such question is “Is there any food you dislike?”. While it appears straightforward, many struggle to provide a comprehensive and engaging answer that showcases their English proficiency.

Understanding the Significance of Food Dislikes in IELTS Speaking

This question, often appearing in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking test, aims to assess more than just your vocabulary for food. It delves into your ability to:

• Express preferences and articulate reasons: Can you clearly explain why you dislike a particular food?
• Use descriptive language: Can you vividly describe the taste, texture, or smell of the food you dislike?
• Maintain a natural conversation: Can you answer fluidly and confidently without sounding memorized or robotic?

Tackling the “Food You Dislike” Question Effectively

Here’s a breakdown of how to approach this question:

1. Choose Your Disliked Food Wisely

While honesty is important, avoid choosing overly bizarre or culturally specific dishes. Opt for something universally recognized, like:

• Vegetables: “To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of eggplant. I find the texture quite spongy and the taste rather bland, no matter how it’s cooked.”
• Fruits: “Durian is a fruit I just can’t seem to enjoy. The smell is incredibly pungent, and the taste is far too overpowering for my liking.”
• Common Dishes: “While I enjoy most seafood, I’m not a big fan of sushi. I’m not keen on the raw texture of the fish, and I find the strong taste of wasabi overwhelming.”

2. Provide Specific Reasons for Your Dislike

Avoid generic responses like “It’s just not my taste.” Instead, elaborate on your reasons, focusing on:

• Taste: “The bitterness of dark chocolate is a bit too intense for me. I much prefer milk chocolate, which is sweeter and smoother.”
• Texture: “I find okra quite slimy, and the texture really puts me off. It always feels a bit strange in my mouth.”
• Smell: “The strong, fishy aroma of blue cheese is something I can’t get past. It just doesn’t appeal to me.”
• Personal Experience: “I once had a bad experience with spicy food that made me ill. Since then, I’ve been hesitant to try anything too spicy.”

3. Keep it Conversational

Instead of delivering a memorized speech, aim for a natural flow. Use linking words and phrases to connect your ideas:

• However: “I love most types of cheese, however, blue cheese is an exception.”
• Although: “Although many people enjoy it, I find coffee to be too bitter for my taste.”
• Because/Since: “I’m not a fan of fast food because it tends to be greasy and unhealthy.”

4. Illustrate with Examples

Add depth to your answer with a brief anecdote or comparison:

• Anecdote: “I remember trying durian for the first time on a trip to Thailand. The smell was so strong, and it lingered in my mouth for hours!”
• Comparison: “While I enjoy the tanginess of Greek yogurt, I find regular yogurt too bland in comparison.”

Cilantro on a plate

Example Answer

“Is there any food you dislike?”

“Actually, there is. While I enjoy most things, I’m not a fan of cilantro. I find the taste quite soapy and overpowering. I know many people love it, but for me, it ruins the flavor of any dish it’s added to. I even have to ask for it to be left out when I order certain dishes at restaurants!”

Mastering IELTS Speaking

Remember, the “food you dislike” question is an opportunity to demonstrate your language skills and engage in a natural conversation. By choosing your topic carefully, providing detailed reasons, and keeping your answer conversational, you can impress the examiner and boost your IELTS Speaking score.

Practice with different foods and reasons to find what feels most natural and comfortable for you. Good luck!