Here some examples of follow up questions that you may asked during your speaking part 3 by examiner related to cue card “Talk about your favorite food”.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 : Topic Food
1. Is ‘fast food’ popular in your country?
Yes, junk food has gained some popularity among young people. You know, Vietnamese students are often seen eating fried chicken, sausages, or hamburgers in eateries or restaurants. It’s understandable because fast food is convenient and delicious, not to mention affordable prices that suit those who live on a tight budget. Having said that, it will have a detrimental effect on their health if they consume a huge amount of fast food on a regular basis, leading to diseases such as obesity or depression.
2. What foods are popular in your country?
There’s no doubt that street foods are Vietnamese’ all-time favorites. They include ‘Banh mi’, ‘Bun dau mam tom,’ ‘Pho,’ and ‘Banh xeo’. Foreigners who have lived in Vietnam for around one year can have a picture of these dishes in their mind. Basically, what makes such foods stand out is the complementary ingredients of herbs, condiments, and well-cooked pork. In case you didn’t know, most Vietnamese dishes comprise five spices such as spicy, sour, bitter, salty, and sweet. All of those things create not only flavor-balanced but also mouth-watering diets.
3. Why do you think some people choose to be vegetarians?
I think the biggest reason is that people nudge towards a healthier lifestyle. Unlike meat lovers, vegetarians tend to opt for dishes full of vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. This is popular among those who often do meditation or who want to get lean. Another reason could be that they want to preserve the environment. What I mean is that slaughtering animals for meat requires a huge amount of water compared to cultivating fruits and vegetables. Moreover, every single animal deserves life on Earth, so we should respect and appreciate their existence.
4. Is the food that people eat today different from the food that people used to eat in the past?
Yes, there are some slight differences between what people consumed back in years ago and the present. I would say that people eat more nutritious food today because there are more spices and recipes for making a variety of dishes. Unlike in the past, dishes were plain as they were combined with only salt, and there were not a lot of ingredients. Although people don’t suffer from starvation nowadays, they have to deal with eating disorders and problems with their metabolism. This is because they consume more fast foods containing a high level of cholesterol than healthy ones. It’s hard for our stomachs to digest so much oily and sweet food.
5. Do you or do people in your country generally prefer to eat at home or eat out?
It depends on where they live. As for those living in big cities like HCM or HN, they’re often occupied with their nine-to-five jobs, so they don’t have a lot of time to prepare food. Because of this, grabbing something to eat at restaurants is an optimal choice so that they can retain their energy for work. In terms of people living in the countryside where there is a slow pace of life, they mostly enjoy family meals because they have more free time to prepare food and bond with their family members.
6. How do you think the way we eat will change in the future?
This is an interesting question. I think people have gradually switched from meat-based diets to plant-based ones. To be more specific, there will be more fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains and less meat in their meals. This comes down to ethical and nutritional values. Regarding the former, it helps protect our wildlife and ecosystem without depriving animals of their precious lives. In terms of the latter, vegetarian dishes contain high levels of vitamins and minerals that help boost our immune system and promote normal growth, mental and physical development.
7. What do you think about healthy diets?
It’s obvious that healthy meals do wonders for our health. I mean, they’re nutritious because they contain high levels of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients play an important role in preventing aging or acne. They’re also good for our brains, especially those who want to improve their concentration or overcome sleep deprivation. Some healthy snacks such as bananas or yogurt help our metabolism function properly compared to pizzas which cause sleep disorders or obesity.
