Pre-TOEFL writing, Has preparation of food becoming easier improved our lives?

Writing Topic

Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

☆Let’s Think

That food has become easier to prepare means it has become faster and less troublesome thanks to the technological advancement such as the electrification of cooking tools, invention of instant food, and development of ready-to-eat food industry, food has become easier to prepare. Now. technological advancement has both good points and bad points, so this change may not have improved the way people live in all aspects of life.

☆Hints for Points

Good points

1.    faster, saves time, helps make time to do other things

2.    reduce stress related to cooking especially for mothers

Bad points

1.    loss of skills, loss of tradition

2.    less communication between family members

3.    fewer chances to develop creativity

4.    lower dietary life: less tasty, less enjoyable in texture, not fresh, less healthy, contain a lot of chemicals such as additives and preservatives

☆Sample Essay Structures

Sample 1

【Introduction = Outline】Less time to prepare food means more time to improve life.

【good point 1】Reduction of cooking time lead to higher production.  e.g. rice cooker

【good point 2】Release from manual labor leads to higher mental activity.  e.g. social reform lead by housewives

【counterargument-treatment】Some might deplore decline of food culture. However, those interested in cooking are even more enthusiastic about improving their eating experience.   e.g. cook books

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】Efficiency is fundamentally helpful in improving life.

Sample 2

【Introduction = Outline】It is true that most of us have experienced the convenience of this change. However, it is doubtful whether it has improved our lives especially in terms of quality.

【good points】Electric appliances and convenience food save us time to do other things although most of us have become busier because of increased workload assigned for the extra time saved by the technology.

【bad point 1】The strong tastes of ready-to-eat foods make you less sensitive about tastes and they are addictive.  e.g. very sweet or salty food with a lot of fat in it

【bad point 2】 An important part of life is lost by the reduction of the cooking process.  e.g. People do not make traditional food such as ohagi cakes for ancestors any more or few families pound mochi, rice cakes for New Year’s feast, together these days. 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】 Diet makes up a significant part of life, and simplified cooking has somewhat lowered the quality of our life by making it gross.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】