Food Topic
Part 1 Questions
Short, personal questions. Answer directly, then add one extra sentence to extend your answer naturally.
1. What kind of food do you like?
"I have quite varied tastes, but I particularly enjoy spicy food and pretty much anything with fresh vegetables."
2. Do you cook for yourself?
"Yes, most days actually. I find cooking quite relaxing after a long day, so I rarely order takeaway during the week."
3. What is a typical meal in your country?
"A typical meal usually includes rice or bread, some kind of protein, and a couple of vegetable side dishes, often shared at the table."
4. Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
"I generally prefer eating at home since it is healthier and cheaper, though I do enjoy eating out occasionally for special occasions."
5. Have your eating habits changed over the years?
"Definitely. I eat far more vegetables now than I did as a child, and I try to avoid processed food much more than I used to."
6. Do you think it is important to have a healthy diet?
"Absolutely, yes. What you eat affects almost everything, from your energy levels to your long-term health, so I try to be reasonably mindful about it."
Part 2 Cue Card
You get 1 minute to prepare, then speak for up to 2 minutes.
Describe a meal you really enjoyed
You should say:
- What the meal was
- Where you had it
- Who you were with
- And explain why you enjoyed it so much
Full model answer
I'd like to describe a meal I had last year during a trip to a small coastal town, which honestly might be one of the best meals I've ever eaten.
It was a simple grilled fish dish, served with rice, a fresh tomato salad, and a kind of herb sauce that I still think about occasionally. Nothing about it was fancy or complicated, but every single ingredient tasted incredibly fresh, which I later learned was because the fish had literally been caught that same morning by the restaurant owner's own boat.
I had it at a small, family-run restaurant right on the harbour, with plastic chairs and a view straight out over the water. It was not the kind of place you would find in a guidebook, we actually stumbled upon it by accident after getting lost looking for somewhere else to eat.
I was travelling with two close friends at the time, and we ended up staying at that little restaurant for almost three hours, just talking, watching the boats come in, and ordering a second round of the same dish because we enjoyed it so much the first time.
What made it so memorable, I think, was the combination of everything together - the freshness of the food, obviously, but also the relaxed atmosphere, the view, and the company. It's one of those meals where the setting and the people made it feel special, not just the food itself, and I think that combination is honestly what makes a meal truly memorable rather than just good.
Part 3 Discussion
Deeper, more abstract questions. Give your opinion and explain your reasoning with an example.
1. How have eating habits changed in your country in recent years?
People generally eat out or order delivery far more often than previous generations did, largely due to busier lifestyles and the convenience of food delivery apps. There has also been a growing awareness around health and nutrition, so more people are paying attention to things like sugar and processed ingredients than before.
2. Do you think fast food is becoming more popular around the world? Why?
Yes, definitely, mainly because of convenience and price. Fast food fits busy modern lifestyles, and global chains have expanded aggressively into new markets, making it far more accessible than it used to be, even in places where it was previously uncommon.
3. What are the effects of unhealthy eating on society?
Beyond the obvious health consequences like obesity and related illnesses, unhealthy eating puts a significant strain on healthcare systems and, in turn, on the economy. There is also a knock-on effect on productivity, since poor diet is linked to lower energy levels and concentration.
4. Should governments try to influence what people eat?
To some extent, yes - things like clear food labelling or taxes on sugary drinks seem reasonable and have shown some success elsewhere. However, I think there is a limit, since people should ultimately retain the freedom to make their own choices about what they eat.
5. How important is it for children to learn how to cook?
I think it is genuinely quite important. Cooking is a practical life skill that promotes healthier eating habits and independence, and children who learn to cook early tend to carry those healthier habits with them into adulthood.
6. Do you think traditional cooking skills are being lost?
To some degree, yes, especially among younger generations who rely more heavily on convenience food or ready meals. That said, I have also noticed a bit of a countertrend recently, with more young people getting genuinely interested in cooking, partly inspired by social media and cooking content online.
Useful vocabulary for this topic
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