The influence of culture on dietary habits is a fascinating topic that frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends and historical data from past IELTS exams, this subject is likely to continue being a popular choice for test-makers. Let’s explore a sample question and provide detailed analysis along with model essays to help you prepare for this type of task.
Analyzing the Question
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic:
Some people believe that a country’s cultural traditions influence its citizens’ food choices and dietary habits. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question asks you to discuss the relationship between cultural traditions and dietary habits. It’s an agree/disagree type of question, which means you need to clearly state your position and support it with relevant examples and explanations.
Model Essay for Band 8-9
Here’s a high-scoring sample essay that demonstrates excellent language use and coherent arguments:
In my opinion, cultural traditions play a significant role in shaping people’s food choices and dietary habits, although other factors also contribute to these decisions. This essay will explore how culture influences our eating patterns and why this impact is so profound.
Cultural traditions have a profound effect on what we eat and how we eat it. From an early age, we are exposed to the flavors, ingredients, and cooking methods that are prevalent in our culture. For instance, in many Asian countries, rice is a staple food that is consumed at almost every meal, while in Western countries, bread or potatoes might fulfill this role. These dietary norms are deeply ingrained in our daily lives and often persist even when people move to different cultural environments.
Moreover, cultural festivities and rituals often revolve around specific foods, further cementing their importance in our diets. Consider how turkey is synonymous with Thanksgiving in the United States, or how mooncakes are an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China. These cultural associations create strong emotional connections to certain foods, making them an essential part of people’s dietary habits.
However, it’s important to note that in our globalized world, cultural influences on diet are becoming more complex. International cuisine is widely available in many countries, and dietary trends often transcend cultural boundaries. For example, the popularity of sushi has spread far beyond Japan, and health-conscious eating habits are gaining traction across various cultures.
In conclusion, while other factors such as personal preferences, health considerations, and global food trends do play a role, cultural traditions remain a powerful force in shaping dietary habits. The deep-rooted nature of these traditions ensures that they continue to influence food choices, even as our world becomes increasingly interconnected.
(Word count: 292)
Model Essay for Band 6-7
Here’s a sample essay that demonstrates good language use but with room for improvement:
I agree that a country’s cultural traditions have a big impact on what people eat and their dietary habits. This essay will discuss why I think this is true.
Firstly, cultural traditions shape our food preferences from a young age. In every country, there are certain foods that are eaten regularly and considered normal. For example, in India, people eat a lot of spicy food and use many different spices in their cooking. This is part of their culture and tradition. Children grow up eating these foods and develop a taste for them, which continues into adulthood.
Secondly, cultural events and holidays often involve special foods. These foods become an important part of people’s diets because they are associated with happy memories and celebrations. For instance, during Chinese New Year, people eat dumplings and other traditional foods. This makes these foods more than just something to eat – they become part of the cultural identity.
However, it’s also true that in today’s world, people are exposed to many different cuisines. This means that cultural influences on food are not as strong as they used to be. Many people now enjoy foods from other cultures and may change their eating habits based on health advice or personal preferences.
In conclusion, while there are other factors that affect what people eat, I believe that cultural traditions still have a strong influence on dietary habits. Even as people try new foods, the foods from their own culture often remain an important part of their diet.
(Word count: 253)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
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Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced thesis statement.
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Vocabulary: The higher band essay uses more advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. For example, “deeply ingrained,” “synonymous with,” and “transcend cultural boundaries.”
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Grammar: Both essays use a mix of simple and complex sentences, but the band 8-9 essay demonstrates more variety in sentence structures.
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Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the band 8-9 essay provides a more balanced view and acknowledges counterarguments.
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Cohesion and Coherence: The band 8-9 essay uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases to connect ideas smoothly.
Vocabulary to Remember
Here are some useful vocabulary items related to this topic:
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Culinary traditions (noun) – /ˈkʌlɪnəri trəˈdɪʃənz/ – The customs and practices related to preparing and consuming food in a particular culture.
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Dietary norms (noun phrase) – /ˈdaɪətəri nɔːrmz/ – The standard or typical eating habits within a specific group or culture.
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Staple food (noun) – /ˈsteɪpəl fuːd/ – A food that is eaten routinely and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet.
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Globalization (noun) – /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
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Cuisine (noun) – /kwɪˈziːn/ – A style of cooking characterized by distinctive ingredients, techniques and dishes, and usually associated with a specific culture or geographic region.
For more practice on IELTS Writing Task 2, you might find our article on the influence of advertising on children’s behavior helpful. It provides additional insights into structuring your essays and using appropriate vocabulary.
Conclusion
The influence of culture on dietary habits is a rich topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. It allows you to discuss various aspects of cultural traditions, globalization, and personal choices. When writing about this topic, remember to provide specific examples and consider both the strong influence of cultural traditions and the growing impact of global food trends.
To further improve your skills, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you apply the strategies and vocabulary discussed in this article. You might also want to explore related topics such as the impact of social media influencers on youth or the influence of Western culture on Asian societies to broaden your understanding of cultural influences in different contexts.