IELTS Speaking Part 3: Food
4 Part 3 discussion questions on food, with developed sample answers of the kind Part 3 expects.
What food do you eat on special occasions?
On special occasions, the meals in my country become noticeably more lavish and traditional than everyday fare. Families typically gather around a large spread featuring signature dishes like plov, an aromatic rice dish with meat and dried fruit, along with plenty of grilled kebabs, fresh salads and homemade bread. Sweets and pastries such as baklava are almost obligatory, accompanied by endless cups of tea. What sets these foods apart is the time and care that goes into preparing them, which is really a gesture of hospitality. These dishes are closely tied to celebration and togetherness, so they carry a strong emotional significance. In essence, special-occasion food is less about everyday eating and more about honouring guests and marking a memorable event.
Is food now better than in the past?
That's a difficult question, because in some respects food has improved while in others it has arguably declined. On the positive side, we now enjoy an incredible variety of cuisines from around the world, and modern transport means fresh ingredients are available all year round. Food safety standards and hygiene have also improved significantly. On the other hand, a great deal of today's food is heavily processed and packed with additives, sugar and preservatives, which is far less healthy than the natural, home-cooked meals of the past. Many would argue that traditional food simply tasted better because it was fresher and free of chemicals. So while we have more choice and convenience today, the overall quality and healthiness of what many people eat has, in some ways, gone downhill.
Are there any differences between the food people eat today and the food people ate in the past?
Yes, there are considerable differences between then and now. In the past, people generally ate simple, seasonal and locally sourced food, most of which was prepared fresh at home. Meals were largely dictated by what was available in a particular region and time of year. Nowadays, by contrast, our diets have become far more diverse and globalised, with people regularly eating dishes from all over the world regardless of the season. Convenience and fast food have also become dominant, as busy modern lifestyles leave little time for cooking. Unfortunately, this shift has meant more processed, less nutritious food compared to the wholesome meals of previous generations. So while variety and availability have increased dramatically, the naturalness and simplicity of traditional eating has largely been lost.
Do you think fast food has a negative effect on people's health?
Yes, I'm firmly convinced that excessive fast-food consumption has a seriously detrimental effect on health. Most fast food is loaded with saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories, while offering very little nutritional value. Regularly eating it is strongly linked to obesity, heart disease, diabetes and a range of other chronic conditions. The problem is compounded by the fact that fast food is cheap, convenient and heavily advertised, making it especially tempting for busy people and the young. Over time, relying on it can also crowd out healthier eating habits and lead to poor dietary patterns. That said, the occasional fast-food meal isn't harmful in itself; it's the frequency and quantity that matter. So while it's fine as a rare treat, making it a staple is undoubtedly bad for one's wellbeing.
Reading a model answer is not the same as saying one. The sample above shows what a strong Part 3 answer sounds like. What it cannot tell you is how yours sounds — whether you hesitate, repeat the question back, or run out of things to say at forty seconds.
You can record an answer to this exact question and get it marked on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and pronunciation — the same four criteria the examiner uses.
Common questions
How is Part 3 different from Part 1?
Part 1 is about you; Part 3 is about people in general. The questions move to society, causes and consequences, and the answers are expected to be longer and more developed — an opinion plus a reason plus an example.
What if I have no opinion on the question?
You are not marked on the opinion, so pick one and support it. Saying you have never thought about it and stopping there leaves the examiner nothing to assess.
How long does Part 3 last?
Four to five minutes. The topics develop out of your Part 2 card, so the discussion is usually connected to what you just described.
Model answers written and reviewed by The English All-in-One IELTS team. They are teaching models showing what each band looks like, not real candidate scripts.