Food labeling has become an increasingly important topic in recent years, with concerns about health, nutrition, and consumer awareness driving discussions about stricter regulations. This issue has appeared in several IELTS Writing Task 2 questions over the past few years, and its relevance is likely to grow. Let’s examine a specific question that has been reported in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that governments should strictly control food safety, while others believe that individuals should take responsibility for their own health. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question touches on the broader theme of food regulation and individual responsibility, which is closely related to food labeling. Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that governments should strictly control food safety
- Discuss the opposing view that individuals should be responsible for their own health
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
It’s important to address both viewpoints equally before stating your own opinion. The question doesn’t ask specifically about advantages or disadvantages, so a balanced approach is necessary.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The issue of food safety regulation has sparked debate between those who advocate for stringent government control and those who believe in individual responsibility. While both perspectives have merit, I argue that a balanced approach combining government oversight and personal accountability is most effective.
Proponents of strict government control argue that regulatory bodies are best equipped to ensure food safety standards. They contend that governments have the resources and authority to implement comprehensive inspection systems, enforce labeling requirements, and penalize non-compliant food producers. This approach can effectively prevent the distribution of unsafe products and protect public health on a large scale. For instance, the FDA in the United States has successfully recalled numerous potentially harmful food items before they could reach consumers.
On the other hand, those favoring individual responsibility assert that people should be accountable for their own dietary choices and health outcomes. They argue that with proper education and access to information, individuals can make informed decisions about their food consumption. This view emphasizes personal freedom and the development of critical thinking skills regarding nutrition and health. For example, many health-conscious consumers already scrutinize food labels and research product ingredients independently.
In my opinion, the most effective approach to food safety combines elements of both perspectives. Governments should establish and enforce baseline safety standards, ensuring that harmful substances are kept out of the food supply and that labeling is accurate and comprehensive. Simultaneously, individuals should be encouraged to take an active role in their health by educating themselves about nutrition, reading food labels, and making informed choices. This balanced strategy would create a safety net of government regulation while empowering individuals to make personalized health decisions.
In conclusion, while government regulation and individual responsibility both play crucial roles in food safety, a synergistic approach that leverages the strengths of both is ideal. By combining strict safety standards with consumer education and empowerment, societies can create a robust system that protects public health while respecting personal choice.
(Word count: 309)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The topic of food safety is important for everyone. Some people think the government should control it strictly, while others say individuals should be responsible. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support government control believe it’s necessary for public health. They think the government has the power to make sure all food is safe. For example, they can check factories and shops to make sure they follow rules. This can stop unsafe food from being sold. Also, the government can make laws about what information must be on food labels. This helps people know what they are eating.
On the other hand, some people think individuals should take care of their own health. They say that people should learn about nutrition and make good choices. For instance, they can read food labels and choose healthy options. This view says that people shouldn’t rely only on the government but should be responsible for what they eat.
In my opinion, both the government and individuals have important roles. The government should set basic rules for food safety and labeling. This protects everyone, especially those who might not know much about nutrition. But people should also learn about healthy eating and pay attention to what they buy. This way, they can make choices that are good for their own health.
To conclude, I believe a mix of government control and personal responsibility is best for food safety. The government should make sure food is safe and well-labeled, but people should also take charge of their own health choices.
(Word count: 268)
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Food safety is very important for everyone. Some people think the government should control it, but others say it’s our own job. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
First, some people want the government to control food safety. They think this is good because the government has power. The government can check food companies and make rules. This can stop bad food from being sold. Also, the government can say what must be on food labels. This helps people know what’s in their food.
But other people think we should take care of our own health. They say we should learn about food and make good choices. For example, we can look at food labels before we buy. This idea says we shouldn’t just depend on the government.
I think both ideas are good. The government should make some rules to keep food safe. But we should also learn about healthy food and be careful what we eat. This way, everyone is helping to keep food safe.
In conclusion, I believe the government and people should work together for food safety. The government should make rules, but we should also be responsible for what we eat.
(Word count: 196)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position and well-developed ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logically organized with clear progression and appropriate use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used with flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures used accurately with only rare minor errors.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects may be more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally well organized with some use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors that do not impede communication.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task, but the format is simple and some key points may be underdeveloped.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Overall coherent but may lack clear progression at times.
- Lexical Resource: Limited but adequate vocabulary; errors may occur when attempting less common words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures; errors are frequent but meaning is generally clear.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Regulatory bodies (noun) – /ˈreɡjələtəri ˈbɒdiz/ – Official organizations that control a particular industry or business activity
- Stringent (adjective) – /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ – Strict, severe, or restrictive
- Comprehensive (adjective) – /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
- Scrutinize (verb) – /ˈskruːtənaɪz/ – Examine or inspect closely and thoroughly
- Synergistic (adjective) – /ˌsɪnəˈdʒɪstɪk/ – Relating to the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect greater than the sum of the individual elements
- Empower (verb) – /ɪmˈpaʊə(r)/ – Give (someone) the authority or power to do something
- Accountability (noun) – /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility
In conclusion, the topic of food labeling and safety regulations is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. Candidates should be prepared to discuss various aspects of this issue, including government control, individual responsibility, and the balance between the two. Practice writing essays on this topic, focusing on clear structure, relevant examples, and appropriate use of vocabulary. Remember to post your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.