Writing Workshop

Unit 64: Nutrition Science, Diets & Food Politics

Task (Cambridge C1 Advanced, Part 2)

Question: Your lecturer has asked you to write a report regarding the impact of modern dietary trends on public health. You should discuss whether government intervention in the food industry is necessary to combat rising obesity rates and suggest how nutritional education could be improved in schools.

Write your report. You must use between 220-260 words.

Tips (en español)

• Structure: Para un report, utiliza títulos claros para cada sección (e.g., Introduction, Current Trends, Recommendations). Esto ayuda al examinador a navegar por tu texto.
• Register: Mantén un tono formal y objetivo. Evita contracciones (don't, can't) y el uso excesivo de la primera persona (I think). Usa estructuras impersonales (It is widely believed that...).
• Linking: Utiliza conectores de transición avanzados para guiar al lector entre ideas complejas (e.g., Furthermore, Nevertheless, Consequently).
• Hedging (Lenguaje cauteloso): En temas de ciencia y política, no afirmes verdades absolutas. Usa hedging para sonar más académico (It could be argued that..., This may lead to...).
• Evaluación de ideas: No te limites a listar hechos. Debes analizar la relación entre la política alimentaria y la salud pública para demostrar pensamiento crítico.
• Time management: Dedica 5 minutos a planificar los puntos clave y 5 minutos finales a revisar la gramática y la ortografía. No escribas de más; si te pasas del límite, podrías perder cohesión.

Useful language

Model answer

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Report on Public Health and Dietary Trends

Introduction The purpose of this report is to analyse the impact of current dietary trends on public health and to evaluate the necessity of government intervention in the food industry.

Government Intervention and Food Policy It is widely recognised that rising obesity rates are directly linked to the accessibility of highly processed foods. While some argue that individuals should be solely responsible for their dietary choices, a growing body of evidence suggests that the food industry's marketing strategies significantly influence consumer behaviour. Therefore, it is imperative that the government implements stricter regulations on sugar content and advertising aimed at minors. Such measures would not only curb unhealthy consumption but also reduce the long-term burden on national healthcare systems.

Nutritional Education in Schools To complement policy changes, the role of education must be addressed. Currently, nutritional science is often sidelined in favour of traditional subjects. It is suggested that the curriculum be restructured to include practical food literacy. By integrating hands-on cooking classes and science-based nutrition modules, schools can equip students with the tools to make informed decisions. This proactive approach would likely foster healthier habits from an early age.

Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, while personal responsibility is important, the scale of the obesity crisis necessitates state intervention. To mitigate this issue, it is recommended that: 1. Governments introduce stricter regulations on processed food marketing. 2. Schools implement comprehensive, practical nutrition programmes.

Taking these steps would ensure a healthier future generation.

Marking checklist

• Content: ¿Has respondido a todas las partes de la tarea (intervención gubernamental y educación escolar)? ¿Es el contenido relevante para el lector?
• Communicative Achievement: ¿Has mantenido el formato de report (títulos, tono formal)? ¿El tono es profesional y adecuado para un contexto académico/profesional?
• Organisation: ¿El texto fluye de forma lógica mediante el uso de párrafos y conectores? ¿La estructura es coherente?
• Language: ¿Has utilizado vocabulario de nivel C1 (e.g., mitigate, necessitate, curb)? ¿Hay variedad en las estructuras gramaticales y uso de hedging?