TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Eating at home or eating out - rewrite -

Writing Topic

Many people like to eat in restaurants on a regular basis. Others would rather eat at home, except on rare occasions. Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why? Support your essay with details and examples. 

☆Let’s Think

1.      Discuss advantages of eating at home and those of eating out.

2.      Which approach to dining habits do you choose and why?

☆Hints for points

Advantages of eating at home and counterargument treatment

1.    It is healthy / good for the (your) health / help (to) keep fit.

2.    It is economical / costs less./ helps save money

3.    It is relaxing / is comfortable / is refreshing / releases your stress.

4.    It helps communication with family.

5.    I can enjoy flavor of Mom’s cooking / learn how to make feast / pass down culture and tradition.

6.    eating out only once in a while makes the event more enjoyable. (“less is more”)

Counterarguments: (1) It takes time to cook. (2) It is boring to eat the same thing every day.

Counter-counterarguments: (1) A simple but well-balanced meal takes only around 30 minutes to prepare. Also, cooking helps you get refreshed because you use the different part of your brain and, if you cook with someone else, you can enjoy interacting with others. (2) Cookbooks and recipes will help make home meal enjoyable.

Advantages of eating out and counterargument treatment

1.    It saves time / allows you to do other things such as homework.

2.    It tastes better than home-cook meals / offers variety.

3.    It promotes social life / is a good opportunity to learn manners.

4.    It makes life more enjoyable. (“spices up” your life)

Counterargument: Foods served in restaurants are unhealthy.

Counter-counterargument: There are plenty of restaurants that serve healthy food. Also, “on a regular basis” does not mean every single meal. Good breakfast and fruit for snacks can make up for important nutrients lacking in purchased food.

☆Sample Body Structures

A

【Point 1】It is good for the health to cook yourself.

【Point 2】Having a good time with family over dinner is important.

【Counterargument-treatment】Eating out might be exciting, but the truth is that life is a series of unremarkable moments with occasional pleasant times. To eat the same kind of homemade meals with your folks every day makes it more delightful to eat at a restaurant for a special event.

B

【Merits of Eating at Home】It is good for the health to eat at home.

【Merits of Eating Out】By eating out, you can use time effectively and reduce stress.

【My Choice】My family are all busy working and studying, so I prefer to dine in restaurants on a regular basis. We can enjoy cooking together at home on holidays,

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

e.g.

【Point 2】

e.g.

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

☆Paragraph development

Sample 1

【Main Idea】It is good for the health to cook yourself.

【Transition】Fresh and safe ingredients can be used for home meals.

【Supporting Details】For example, you can buy meat and vegetables at a store of your own choice right before you cook. On the other hand, restaurants often use frozen food, which is not fresh and has chemicals. This is especially true in seasoning. At home, you can make broth using natural food, but restaurants often use ready-made soup stock containing additives and preservatives.

【Follow-up】Tighter regulations on food have made restaurant food healthier than before, but businesses prioritize cutting costs. At least you know what you are eating when you prepare dishes for yourself.

【Conclusion】By cooking for yourself, you can make sure that you stay healthy.

Sample 2

【Main Idea】&【Transition】 Eating out regularly livens up life because it helps you socialize with others.

【Supporting Details】Having conversation over lunch or dinner surrounded by other relaxed diners helps you see people and life positively. Going to a familiar Chinese restaurant with your beloved makes you feel comfortable. Tying a new Italian dish with your friends is exciting. Each of such times is a precious moment of life.

【Follow-up】This habit might seem morally wrong to some people, but eating in restaurants on a regular basis does not mean going out to eat three times a day. Allowing oneself an hour of good mealtime a few times a week is neither an extravagance nor indulgence. It is a lifestyle.

【Conclusion】Man does not live to eat but eat to live.

Your Sample Paragraph Development

Choose one of the points of your essay structure, and develop it. You can either use or not use the form below..

【Main Idea】

【Transition】

【Supporting Details】

【Follow-up】 

【Conclusion】