Writing Feedback / IELTS Writing Task 2 Discussion - The study of food science and its preparation [2]

Some people think students should study the science of food and how to prepare it. Others think students should spend time on important subjects.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Essay:

People's opinions differ as to whether or not students should take courses on food science and preparation. Although there are some strong arguments in favour of the teaching of food as a subject in schools, I still support the view that this idea is problematic and completely impractical.

The positive implications of food teaching in schools are often discussed in terms of its impact on students' dietary habits. It is recognized that teenagers engaged in nutrition education activities are more likely to make healthy food choices and have greater acceptance of eating a variety of foods. At the same time, this would also lead to reduced reliance on precooked, convenience foods that are proven to provide little nutritional value and have a detrimental effect on their health, as they are equipped with cooking skills to prepare their own meals. Clearly all of these things will ensure a nutritionally adequate and balanced diet among these students, therefore promoting health and well-being and reducing the risks of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.

In spite of the above arguments, I share the concerns of people who believe that the teaching of food could cause unnecessary difficulties. Firstly, there is no doubt that recipe ingredients and large pieces of equipment, such as ovens and fridges, needed for an entire class or for multiple classes might be costly. Classes in schools with low budgets therefore may lack some cooking essentials, and this could lead to limited class size or even ineffective teaching. Secondly, many schools struggle to design a specific curriculum for subjects other than the core ones, which means there may not be time for a separate food and nutrition course. This would explain why it is often integrated into the teaching of such science subjects like biology and chemistry, and currently this seems to be the best system.

In conclusion, while the teaching of nutrition and food preparation in schools might seem like a good idea, I do not see it as workable and strictly necessary.(335 words)

Writing Feedback / Maths and business success - IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay [2]

To succeed in a business, one needs to be good at maths.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Essay:

It is sometimes argued that good math skills are the key for employees to attain success in the workplace. While I recognize the importance of mathematics in business, I also believe that there are other factors that more significantly contribute to company achievement.

On the one hand, I agree that math proficiency is certainly necessary in the workplace. There are a number of jobs essential in a business that require high levels of calculations, such as accounting and financial analysis. Therefore, those with solid math skills are more likely to carry out these tasks with greater effectiveness and precision than others. Perhaps more importantly, I believe math skills - particularly numeracy and numerical problem solving - are closely associated with broader cognitive ability. This ability really matters because it is reflective of a person's capacity to think critically and solve problems, both of which are key skills that contribute to employees' job performance.

On the other hand, I believe that one still can achieve success in business without a background in math. In the modern age, we already have access to computers and calculators that are clearly able to take on more complicated math functions using a large amount of data. This means that highly calculative work in a business will no longer require humans to perform. Furthermore, I would argue that such factors like leadership style, organizational structure, and innovation are more important from a business perspective, and surely these things do not require any excellent math skills. For instance, effective communication and collaboration among employees as well as managers are non-math-related factors crucial to drive the company to success and growth.

In conclusion, while math is an integral part of managing business, I do not see it as the most significant contributor to a business's success. (296 words)