TOEFL iBT Independent Writing Eating out on a regular basis or eating at home except for rare occasions? - revised -

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 / is good for the (your) health / helps you (to) keep fit.

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

3.     It is relaxing / is comfortable / is refreshing / releases your stress / helps you get refreshed because you use the different part of your brain.

4.     It helps you communicate with your family / enjoy interacting with others.

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

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

Counterarguments and examples of confirmations of your argument:

(1)   It takes time to cook.

⇔ A simple but well-balanced meal takes only around 30 minutes to prepare.

(2)   It is boring to eat the same thing every day.

⇔ Cookbooks and online recipes will help make home meal enjoyable.

 

Advantages of eating out

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

2.     It provides opportunities to experience different ethnic foods.

3.     It tastes better than home-cooked meals / offers variety.

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

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

Counterarguments and examples of confirmations of your argument:

(1)   Foods served in restaurants are unhealthy.

⇔ There are restaurants serving healthy food. Also, good breakfast and fruit for snacks can make up for nutrients lacking in purchased food.

(2)   It is corrupting to eat out on a regular basis.

“Eating on a regular basis” does not mean every day. Also, it can be a necessary habit to live in a city.

 

☆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】                                                          e.g.

 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

☆Paragraph development

 

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

【Supporting Detail (general)】Fresh and safe ingredients can be used for home meals.

【Supporting Detail (specific)】For example, you can buy meat and vegetables at a store of your own choice right before you cook. On the other hand, food restaurants serve has frozen food chemicals. This is especially true with 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. When you prepare dishes for yourself, at least you know what you are eating.

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

 

B.      【Main Idea】&【Supporting Detail (general)】 Eating out regularly livens up life because it helps you socialize with others.

【Supporting Detail (specific)】Having conversation over meals 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. Sharing new Italian dishes 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 eating out all the time. Allowing oneself an hour of good mealtime a few times a week is neither an extravagance nor indulgence. It is a lifestyle. Especially for city dwellers who are busy and lack human contact outside of work, it can be a necessary habit to stay healthy mentally.

【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】

 

【Supporting Detail (general)】

 

 

【Supporting Detail (specific)】

 

 

 

 

【Follow-up】 

 

 

【Conclusion】