IELTS writing test in Hong Kong and Singapore: Cooking food at home is a waste of time

Some people believe that cooking food at home is a complete waste of time. According to them, restaurants are better and make modern living easier and a whole lot less stressful. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

This essay topic was seen in IELTS writing tests held in Hong Kong and Singapore in June 2013.

Sample essay

 

Restaurants serve ready to eat meals for a price. They are a boon for busy professionals who do not have enough time to cook a proper meal. It is true that restaurant food makes modern living easier, still it cannot be considered better than home-made food because of health concerns.

People who eat at restaurants on a regular basis develop many health problems. Restaurants might claim that they take all measures to ensure that food is cooked and served in a hygienic environment. However, this is not always true. Routines inspections by food inspectors often reveal an ugly picture. In the recent past, food authorities shut down many restaurants in Kerala, India because they did not score well in the cleanliness department.

Another questionable and equally harmful practice is the use of preservatives and other chemicals. In a bid to enhance the texture and flavour of food items restaurants often use chemicals that are harmful for health. Preservatives are used in large quantities to prolong the shelf life of food items. When consumed on a regular basis, these chemicals will ruin a person’s health.

Home-made food, on the other hand, is healthier. Of course, cooking food at home is not always easy and may consume a lot of time. Still, it is better. Home-made food is unlikely to contain preservatives and harmful chemicals. What’s more food cooked at home is cheaper. A restaurant meal usually costs much more than a typical meal cooked at home. People who do not have the time to cook their own food can employ a cook. And the money they save on their restaurant bills can be used to pay their cook.

In conclusion, cooking food at home is not a waste of time. In fact it is absolutely essential for good health. Restaurants are good for eating out once in a while but they can’t replace traditional home cooking.

Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I'm Manjusha. This is my blog where I give IELTS preparation tips.

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