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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic.

Today’s food travels thousands of miles before it reaches customers.

Why is this so?
Is this a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1: [It is a positive development]

The modern food industry has undergone significant changes, and one of the most notable is the increasing distance that food travels before it reaches customers. This happens for different reasons, and I believe that it is actually a positive trend that has brought several benefits.

One reason why food travels thousands of miles today is that global trade has become more prevalent, and food producers can now source ingredients from all over the world. For example, supermarkets in the UK now stock tropical fruits from South America and Asia all year round, which was not possible in the past. This allows people to enjoy a wider variety of foods and have access to fruits and vegetables that are not native to their region. Another reason why food travels long distances is that it enables people to eat fresh produce year-round. In the past, people could only eat seasonal fruits and vegetables, but with modern transport systems, produce can be transported across the world and arrive at its destination in a matter of days. This means that people can enjoy fresh food all year round, regardless of the season.

No doubt, global food transportation has brought economic benefits to many countries. Developing countries that produce food can now export their products to other parts of the world and earn money from it. This has helped to boost their economies and improve the standard of living for many people. Moreover, it has enhanced our choices as consumers. We now have a wide variety of choices when it comes to picking a food item. It also helps us eat a variety of food and fruits that keep us healthy.

In conclusion, while some may argue that the trend of long-distance food transportation is a negative development, I believe that it is a positive trend that has brought several benefits. It has allowed people to access a wider variety of foods, eat fresh produce year-round, and brought economic benefits to many countries.

Model Answer 2: [It is a negative trend]

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for food, fruits and grains to be transported thousands of kilometres before finally reaching the end customers. There are several reasons why this is so. While some argue that this is a positive development, I believe that it is a negative trend for several reasons.

The reason why food travels thousands of miles before it reaches customers is due to globalization and the modernization of the food industry. With the increase in demand for diverse and exotic foods, suppliers source their products from all around the world. Furthermore, advancements in technology have made it possible to preserve and transport food over long distances.

The transportation of food over long distances contributes significantly to environmental issues such as climate change. The carbon emissions from transportation vehicles have a negative impact on air quality and contribute to the greenhouse effect, which in turn leads to rising global temperatures. Additionally, transporting food over long distances requires significant amounts of energy, further exacerbating the environmental impact of this practice.

Moreover, the transportation of food over long distances can have negative consequences for the quality and nutritional value of the food itself. Many types of food, particularly fruits and vegetables, are often harvested before they are fully ripe in order to withstand the rigours of long-distance transportation. As a result, they are often less flavorful and less nutritious than locally sourced produce. Moreover, long transportation times can lead to spoilage, resulting in food waste and further environmental harm.

In conclusion, while it may seem convenient to have access to food from all over the world, the transportation of food over long distances has significant negative consequences. We should prioritize locally sourced and sustainable food production to protect the environment, support local economies, and promote healthy and nutritious diets.

Sample Answer 3: [It is a negative development]

These days, we no longer completely rely on locally grown food as we can purchase food grown in some distant land whenever we want. Advancements in the transportation system and technology have made it possible. Though this trend has some benefits as it widens our freedom as consumers, it has some severe disadvantages which make it a dangerous trend.

We live in a global village, and with the introduction of the speedy transportation system, food grown anywhere could be transported to other parts of the world. It ensures that people can buy many types of local and foreign fruits, vegetables and other food items from the nearby markets. "If something is not locally grown, import it" - globalisation and the advancement in technology have made it a reality.

However, this does not come without a price. The transportation of food requires burning more fuel, and this is detrimental to the environment. Just to supply internationally grown fruits, we are degrading our environment. This is a price we cannot afford to pay. Another negative impact of transporting food is putting the local farmers into competition, and they are forced to produce more items at a lower cost, and hence the increasing use of chemicals. This, in a way, is declining the quality of locally grown food items.

Furthermore, consumers are often forced to purchase imported food that was preserved and produced with the use of chemicals and preservatives. They are harmful to our health, and people are purchasing those items at higher prices. Importers cannot ensure the freshness and proper nutrition of imported food. Local sellers also preserve them for several days. This makes it less nutritious and less fresh than locally produced fruits and vegetables.

In conclusion, I believe that transporting food over a long distance is undesirable and has more negative consequences than positive ones. It threatens our local farmers, and on top of that, chemically preserved fruits and vegetables that are being imported are not a healthy choice at all.

• IELTS Essay
• Writing Task 2
• IELTS Essay Sample
• Positive or Negative Development

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