Modifiers

Look at Maria's essay to see how she has used adjectives and quantifiers to describe nouns, and adverbs to describe verbs.

Synonyms

Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. Throughout your Task 2 essay, you should use synonymous words and phrases to show your ability to use a range of vocabulary.

Note the synonyms for the following words used in the essay.

Accurate Vocabulary

Accurate vocabulary includes:

word form:

Correct	Incorrect
cook well (adverb)	cook good (adjective)
healthiness of food (adjective)	health of food (noun)
does not necessarily mean (adverb)	does not neccessary mean (adjective)

word choice:

Correct	Incorrect
prepare foods	make foods
depends on the cook	depends on the cooker
have little nutritional value	have little health value

Appropriate Vocabulary

In the academic module of the IELTS Writing test you should use a more formal level of vocabulary and avoid informal language or slang.

For example:

Formal	Informal
increasingly aware	more and more aware
a sound knowledge of healthy foods	a good knowledge of healthy foods
beneficial for the body	good for the body
detrimental	bad
wide range of choices	huge range of choices
one's health	your health
I believe that	I reckon that

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is unsufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time,a person may make meals that have little nutritional value using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide range of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they may be eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide range of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they may be eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home can be a much better option if the person cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide range of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they may be eating.

Simple sentences

A simple sentence has only one clause called an independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that must have a subject and a verb (and sometimes an object), and is grammatically complete. For example:

Complex sentences

A complex sentence is a sentence that has more than one clause. Unlike compound sentences, a complex sentence links an independent clause with a dependent clause. In this type of sentence, the two clauses are linked, usually by a conjunction or relative pronoun.

independent clause + relative pronoun / conjunction + dependent clause

Compound sentences

A compound sentence is a sentence that has more than one independent clause. In this type of sentence structure, independent clauses are linked, usually by a conjunction.

independent clause + conjuction + independent clause

Nominalisation

Nominalisation is when a verb phrase is turned into a noun phrase and is used as the subject of a sentence. This makes the writing more academic.

Compare the following sentences.

1. People often prepare food at home .
2. Preparation of food at home is common.

1. Governments ought to introduce a law that prohibits advertising junk food to children.
2. The introduction of a law that prohibits advertising junk food to children is needed.

1. M any people believe that parents should be held responsible for their childrens' behaviour.
2. The belief that parents should be held responsible for their childrens' behaviour is widespread.

1. Many people smoke despite the related health risks.
2. Smoking is common despite the related health risks.

1. It is important to spend 'family time' together, especially after the children have left home.
2. Spending 'family time' together is important, especially after the children have left home

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxilary verb and are located before the main verb. In general, writers use modal verbs to express their viewpoints, suggestions and recommendations strongly or tentativelyThe word tentatively means carefully or with caution. Therefore, if you are expressing an idea tentatively, you are showing that something is possible, but not definite. can be very good for one's health. Let's look at some examples.

Note how modal verbs are used in the essay.

Verb tense

You need to know all the present, past and future tenses of verbs. You must also understand:

• how to write each tense in the active and passive voice
• when to use each tense.

Note that in this essay, Maria mainly uses the present tense. This is because she is giving her viewpoint in response to the specific question (To what extent do you agree or disagree that eating home cooked meals is healthier than eating in a restaurant?), which is expressed in the present tense.

All the verbs in the essay are highlighted to show the tense.

Subject-verb agreement

Another aspect of Grammatical Accuracy is subject-verb agreement. In other words, the subject of each clause or sentence must agree with the verb. The verb ending changes depending on whether the subject is singular, or plural. Below are some examples.

singular noun + verb

plural noun + verb

Note that when using a modal verb, the infinitive form of the verb is used..

Note that in the essay the subjects and verbs are highlighted to show you subject-verb agreement.

Articles (a/an, the)

An article comes before a noun and indicates whether that noun is specific (definite) or general (indefinite). Sometimes a noun does not need an article.

Note that all the articles in the essay are highlighted.

It is not possible to list all the rules relating to articles here, so let's briefly look at some common situations relating to Task 2 essays where articles should be used and not used.

Use no article when a generalisation is being made using a plural or uncountable noun. Note that you would need an article for a generalisation using a singular countable noun. For example, a computer.

Use no article when using a word to describe quantity .

Use the with some types of nominalisation.

Use the with superlative adjectives.

Use the when indicating position (time or place)

Use the when refering to a subject that you have already mentioned.

Punctuation

You need to make sure you use the correct punctuation in the IELTS Writing exam. Make sure you check your:

• full stops (.) - at the end of each sentence
• commas (,) - after time phrases, before or after signposts, and after dependent clauses
• capital letters (A,B,C) - at the beginning of sentences and with names (people, places, organisations).

Let's briefly look at some examples of how commas are used.

Note the punctuation used in the essay.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu,but yet, however, nevertheless at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that about, whether eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if when the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. AlthoughThough, Despite the fact that, Even though some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices whichthat can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals whereverregardless of where they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is a growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become present perfect is used here to talk about a situation that started in the past and is still relevant in the present increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimental. Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.

People have become increasingly aware of the importance of eating nutritious meals. As a result, there is growing concern that eating regularly in restaurants is far less healthy than eating home-cooked food. However, I disagree with this viewpoint.

Firstly, regardless of location, the healthiness of food depends totally on the cook. Eating at home might be a much better option if the person who is cooking has a sound knowledge of healthy foods and preparation methods, and the time to regularly go shopping and cook well. However, if there is insufficient understanding of healthy food preparation methods or lack of time, a person may make meals that have little nutritional value, using processed products high in salt, sugar and fat. The result is that they are in fact just cooking a kind of fast food at home.

In addition, both restaurants and fast food outlets offer a variety of choices, some of which are beneficial for the body, while others are detrimetal . Therefore, when eating out, it is still possible to choose quality foods, even if one is on a budget. Although some cheaper fast foods are not so healthy, others can be very good. For example, most salads are amongst the cheapest items on the menu, but at the same time, they are the healthiest.

In conclusion, both restaurant and home cooking offer a wide variety of choices which can be very good for one's health. Therefore, I believe that it is up to the individual to choose healthy meals wherever they are eating.