Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health - IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay

It is very common for the IELTS Writing Task 2 exam to highlight topics related to health and lifestyle such as, ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’.  To ace the IELTS Writing section with a band 8+, your  essays have to be composed, which, in turn, must not only cover your opinion but also discuss both the viewpoints. However, you must familiarize yourself with the specific outline so that your ideas can be displayed coherently. By diving into the sample answer, you will build confidence to brainstorm ideas and write the essay within 40 minutes.

How to Ideate for IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay, ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’?

It is important to first brainstorm a few minutes before writing your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay. As you brainstorm ideas, look at the topic carefully while recognizing the two viewpoints mentioned in the essay, “Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health”. With this knowledge, you will learn to weigh both sides as to whether the person is responsible for their eating habits or the government should control junk food consumption. Below is the table which can provide you with certain guiding questions which will help ideate for this topic.

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Question - IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion Essay, ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’

Sample Answer 1 on ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’

In the modern world, there has been an accelerating trend of people eating unhealthy food, posing harmful threats to their health. While some people regard education as an ineffective measure to resolve the problem. I would contend that this practice would serve as a workable solution to tackling such a situation.

There is a common belief that education would not be an effective method of deterring people from consuming a large amount of junk food. Supporters of this view might argue that the modern lifestyle is the root of this issue, which would not be efficiently addressed by education. For example, there are many intellectual officers in favour of fast food due to its convenience and portable manner. Despite their profound nutrition-related knowledge and awareness, these busy consumers opt for fast food for the sake of time-saving. Besides, there are other efficient solutions to curbing junk food consumption. For instance, the government could impose higher taxation schemes on junk food. By raising fast food prices, such a strict legal action could yield immediate and widespread effects on consumer behaviour, thus bringing forth a quicker decline in junk food consumption compared to education.

However, I would strongly endorse education as an effective key to the junk food overconsumption problem. The primary reason is that an appropriate education would efficiently raise eaters’ awareness which may act as a deterrent to people’s opting for unhealthy food. For instance, once people gain insightful knowledge and awareness of life-threatening cancers and diseases caused by overeating fast food, they would be more likely to put an end to such a harmful eating habit. Another supporting reason is that nutrition education programs, compared to other measures such as imposing higher tax, could result in more sustainable awareness and behaviour change among people from all walks of life, especially children and adolescents. These beneficiaries will cultivate a life-time habit of refraining from junk food or restricting such intake.

To sum up, although there are reasonable arguments against education, I firmly believe that educational measures would significantly mitigate junk food consumption and deter the problem from being exacerbated further.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 1 on ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’

• Deterring - Preventing somebody from doing something by using some deterrent

Eg - Imposing heavy fines is one of the methods used to deter people from breaking the traffic rules.

• Convenience - Facility of doing a thing effortlessly or without causing trouble

Eg - People have shifted to online shopping mainly because of the convenience it offers and also due to time saving.

• Endorse - To show support for or to approve of something publicly

Eg - A diet based on plants is highly recommended by many nutritionists as giving long-term health benefits.

• Mitigate - To bring down the level of severity or seriousness of a thing

Eg - The use of renewable energy sources can be one of the ways to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming.

• Exacerbate - To aggravate a problem or situation

Eg - Not exercising can exacerbate the health problems which are already being caused by a bad diet.

• Refrain - To keep oneself away from or cease doing something

Eg - In order to maintain good health, people should refrain from having too much sugar.

Sample Answer 2 on ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’

In recent times, many scientists believe that fast food consumption is central to various health problems that are difficult to cure. Therefore, a few individuals hold the opinion that education can easily solve this problem; however, others think that imposing law can help curb this issue. The essay below will outline and evaluate the two opposing views of the matter and then assert my own opinion.

To start with, it is essential to impart knowledge to people about the healthier options as they choose their diets. This is predominantly important because a large portion of the population needs to learn about the pros and cons of comfort food. Besides this, they must also be aware of the alternatives which do not harm their health. For example, the rapid pace of society is the reason for many to opt for cheaper meals in stores or choose takeaways as they are easier to grab. Thus, the impact of fast food on them is minimal since they can regulate their intake of unhealthy fats.

Nevertheless, companies should be limited in their production of fast cooking or the government must impose higher taxes on this type of food. The resorting of junk food will be coaxed to the healthier options, perhaps even being motivated to cook at home and shedding some pounds. Furthermore, this kind of food is harmful to their health as they will suffer from poor health issues like heart attack. This eventually leads them to stay indoors instead of engaging in various outdoor activities.

To conclude, many people prefer fast food as these are easy to get and served immediately which affects their health in the long-term. However, I believe that education is particularly important for the younger generation.

Vocabulary for Sample Answer 2 on ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health’

• Impose law - Officially put into operation or executed a rule or regulation.

Eg - Due to the health concerns the government imposed a law restricting the sale of sugary drinks to minors.

• Curb (an issue) - To restrain or limit something which is not wanted.

Eg - It is absolute necessity that strict regulations be imposed to curb the issue of junk food advertising.

• Impart knowledge - To give teachings or share information.

Eg - Schools ought to impart knowledge on healthy eating habits to the very young students.

• Coaxed - Softly persuaded or encouraged to do something.

Eg - People can be coaxed to shift towards healthy diets with the help of awareness programs.

• Shedding some pounds - Getting rid of weight.

Eg - He, after quitting junk food, started shedding some pounds and that too very fast.

Keep in mind that the more you engage with topics like this essay, ‘Junk Food is Harmful to People’s Health, the more you will develop the skill set to score a band 8+ in the IELTS Exam. Therefore, it is necessary to try attempting different essay types on varying topics to gain confidence for exam day. With diligent practice, you will eventually become familiar with the structure and work on your areas of improvement.

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