Studies show that topics related to healthy eating and balanced diets have appeared in approximately 15% of recent IELTS Writing Task 2 tests. As The importance of promoting healthy diets continues to be a global concern, this subject remains highly relevant for IELTS candidates.
Task Analysis
Some people believe that governments should make laws regarding nutrition and healthy eating. Others think that it is a matter of personal choice and responsibility. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for government intervention
- Examine personal responsibility perspective
- Present and justify their own stance
Government nutrition regulations compared to individual dietary choices
Band 9 Model Essay
Many debates center on whether dietary habits should be regulated by authorities or left to individual discretion. While both approaches have merit, I believe a balanced combination of government guidance and personal responsibility is most effective.
Those who support government intervention argue that state-imposed nutritional guidelines protect public health. For instance, many countries now require detailed food labeling and restrict unhealthy ingredients in school meals, helping citizens make informed choices. Furthermore, as importance of plant-based diets for health becomes more evident, governments can implement policies promoting sustainable and nutritious food options.
Conversely, advocates of personal responsibility maintain that dietary choices are deeply personal decisions influenced by cultural, religious, and individual preferences. They contend that excessive government interference could infringe on personal freedoms and fail to account for diverse nutritional needs. Moreover, education and awareness might prove more effective than legislation in fostering healthy eating habits.
In my view, the optimal approach combines both perspectives. While governments should establish basic nutritional standards and provide evidence-based guidelines, individuals must ultimately take responsibility for their dietary choices. This balanced approach ensures public health protection while respecting personal autonomy.
Band 6.5 Model Essay
Today, there is discussion about whether governments should control people’s eating habits or if it should be personal choice. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Some people think governments should make laws about healthy eating. First, many people don’t know enough about nutrition, so government rules can help them. For example, when schools must serve healthy food, children eat better. Second, What are the benefits of a balanced diet? is a question that governments can help answer through public education.
However, others believe eating choices should be personal. They say people have different needs and preferences. Also, some think government control is too much interference in private life. They believe education is better than strict rules.
In my opinion, both government and personal responsibility are important. Governments should make some basic rules and give information, but people should choose their own food. This way works better than only government control or only personal choice.
Key Vocabulary
- Nutritional guidelines (n) /njuːˈtrɪʃənəl ˈɡaɪdlaɪnz/ – official recommendations about healthy eating
- Public health (n) /ˈpʌblɪk helθ/ – the health of the population as a whole
- Legislation (n) /ˌledʒɪsˈleɪʃən/ – laws made by a government
- Personal autonomy (n) /ˈpɜːsənəl ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – freedom to make one’s own decisions
- Dietary habits (n) /ˈdaɪətəri ˈhæbɪts/ – regular patterns in eating behavior
Advanced Sentence Structures
- Complex with relative clause: “While governments should establish basic nutritional standards, which protect public health, individuals must ultimately take responsibility for their choices.”
- Conditional with modal verbs: “Should governments implement stricter regulations, they would need to consider diverse cultural and religious dietary requirements.”
- Parallel structure: “This balanced approach ensures public health protection while respecting personal autonomy.”
Try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments below for feedback and discussion.
