IELTS Tips
Grammar Exercise 7
Read the following essay. Choose the best adjective to fill spaces in the answer. Where more than one adjective is possible, choose the less common one. Use a dictionary to check meaning if necessary.
Model answer
In today’s stressful world, where both parents are usually working full time, the increased dependence on ready-made meals should come as no surprise. Even people without children show little desire to cook a complicated meal after working all day, which is entirely understandable. If they are earning and can afford to buy convenience food or go out to restaurants, why shouldn’t they? At the same time, it cannot be denied that because of this, we are losing the ability to cook nutritious meals at home.
The fact is that ready-made meals are not usually that good for us. They contain high levels of salt and sugar, not to mention harmful preservatives and artificial colorants. A diet that is exclusively made up of such food is bound to be unhealthy.
Moreover, it is extremely important for children to learn how to cook, so that they will be fully independent when they grow up. Given that schools have no time to devote to cooking on the curriculum, the only place where children can learn basic culinary skills is in the home. Speaking personally, I have always enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen, by cooking slightly unconventional meals. Whatever recipe I decide on, I only use fresh seasonal ingredients. Both my mother and father cook at home, and I have learned a lot of useful tips from them. If I have children of my own, I shall make sure that they learn how to cook as soon as they are old enough to enjoy the experience.
In conclusion, although some use of convenience food is natural, no one should rely on it exclusively at the expense of home-cooked food. Not only is this unhealthy but it is also threatening important skills with extinction.
