IELTS HUBIELTS Discussion Essay on Health & Education & Society
Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Scientists agree that many people eat too much junk food and it is damaging their health. Some people think that this problem can be solved by educating people, while others believe that education will not work.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Introduction
Paraphrase the topic (education vs. other factors for solving junk food health problems). State author's opinion agreeing that education can be crucial.
Body Paragraph 1 View 1
Discuss the view that education won't work. Arguments based on: strength of habit (hard to break, like smoking) and power of advertising (outweighs education, fast food companies).
Body Paragraph 2 View 2
Discuss the view that education can work (author's supporting points). Arguments: enables knowledgeable decisions (understanding nutrition, long-term effects, Harvard study example) and shifts societal norms (health-consciousness from young age, anti-smoking analogy).
Conclusion
Summarize main points (arguments against and for education). Restate author's strong belief in education's potential to empower individuals and change norms.
Band 9 Sample Answer:
In response to increasing health problems, some suggest that teaching people about the dangers of eating junk food could help, while others believe this method wouldn't work. I agree with the first group, thinking that education can be crucial in tackling this issue.
Those who think education won't help base their argument on the strength of habit and the impact of advertising. They say that once eating habits are established, they're hard to break, even when people know they're harmful. As an example, despite knowing the risks of smoking, many people continue to do it, showing how persistent habits can be. They also argue that the persuasive power of advertising can easily outweigh educational efforts. For example, fast food companies spend billions on advertising, which can make their products seem more attractive than healthier options, undermining educational programs.
However, I strongly believe that education can be a powerful weapon against the problem of junk food. First, education can enable people to make knowledgeable decisions about what they eat. A good understanding of nutrition can help people see the long-term effects of their food choices, promoting healthier habits. For example, a Harvard School of Public Health study found that nutrition education greatly improved participants' eating habits. Second, education can also help shift society towards healthier food norms. By promoting health-consciousness from a young age, we can slowly change societal norms and expectations towards healthier food choices. The success of anti-smoking campaigns, which combined education with policy changes, shows how societal norms can be changed over time.
In conclusion, while there are reasonable arguments that education might not be enough due to the strength of habit and advertising, I strongly believe that the potential of education to empower individuals and change societal norms makes it a better solution. The ability of education to encourage informed decision-making and promote a culture of health-consciousness highlights its significance in addressing the junk food problem.
Band 7 Sample Answer:
In the face of escalating health issues, some propose that educating individuals about the perils of junk food consumption can mitigate the problem, while others argue that such an approach would be ineffective. I align myself with the former perspective, believing that education can indeed play a pivotal role in addressing this issue.
Those who deem education as an ineffective solution have their reasons rooted in the power of habit and the influence of marketing. They argue that eating habits, once formed, are notoriously difficult to change, even in the face of compelling evidence about their harmful effects. To illustrate, despite the widespread knowledge about the detrimental effects of smoking, many continue this habit, demonstrating the tenacity of ingrained behaviors. Furthermore, they contend that the persuasive power of advertising can easily overshadow educational efforts. For instance, fast food companies invest billions in marketing campaigns, which can make their products appear more appealing than healthier alternatives, thus undermining educational initiatives.
However, I firmly believe that education can serve as a potent tool in combating the junk food epidemic. Firstly, education can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their dietary choices. A comprehensive understanding of nutrition can help people discern the long-term implications of their food choices, thereby encouraging healthier habits. For instance, a study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that nutrition education significantly improved the dietary habits of its participants. Secondly, education can also foster a societal shift towards healthier food norms. By instilling a culture of health-consciousness from a young age, we can gradually shift societal norms and expectations towards healthier food choices. The success of anti-smoking campaigns, which combined education with policy changes, exemplifies how societal norms can be reshaped over time.
In conclusion, while there are valid arguments suggesting that education may not be sufficient due to the power of habit and marketing, I firmly believe that the potential of education to empower individuals and reshape societal norms makes it a more compelling solution. The ability of education to promote informed decision-making and foster a culture of health-consciousness underscores its importance in addressing the junk food crisis.