Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine you have recently attended a workshop on healthy eating and found it to be very informative. Now, write a letter to your friend telling them about the workshop. In your letter, make sure to:- Explain why you decided to attend the workshop.
- Describe what you learned during the workshop.
- Share how you plan to apply this new knowledge in your everyday life.
- Suggest why your friend might also benefit from attending such a workshop.

You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Sam,

I went to a workshop on healthy eating last week. I wanted to learn more because I want to eat better and be healthier.

The workshop was very good. They taught us about different foods and how they help our bodies. We learned about fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. They said we should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, some proteins and grains, and a little bit of fats and sugars. They also told us to drink a lot of water.

I want to use what I learned in my life. I will try to eat more fruits and vegetables and less fats and sugars. I will also drink more water. I think this will make me feel better and healthier.

I think you should go to a workshop like this. You like to learn new things and this can help you be healthier too. It is good to know about what we eat and how it affects our bodies.

Best,
Alex

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

I recently attended a workshop on healthy eating, and I thought I'd share my experience with you. I decided to go because I've been feeling sluggish lately and thought it might be related to my diet.

The workshop was eye-opening. I learned about the importance of balanced meals, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They also stressed the significance of vitamins and minerals, and how to get them from fruits and vegetables. The most surprising part was learning about the harmful effects of processed foods and sugars on our health.

I plan to put this knowledge into practice by preparing healthier meals at home, reducing my intake of processed foods, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I've also decided to start reading food labels to make more informed choices.

I think you might find this workshop beneficial too. Given your interest in fitness, understanding nutrition could help you achieve your health goals more effectively. Plus, it's always good to be aware of what we're putting into our bodies.

Best regards,
Liam

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Emily,

I hope this message finds you in good health and spirits. I recently attended a workshop on healthy eating and I thought it would be beneficial to share my experience with you.

I decided to attend the workshop because, as you know, I've been trying to improve my lifestyle and diet for a while now. I believe that understanding the science behind nutrition is the key to making sustainable changes, and this workshop seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand my knowledge.

The workshop was incredibly informative. It covered a range of topics, from understanding the nutritional value of different food groups to the importance of portion control. We also learned about the impact of various cooking methods on the nutritional value of food. It was eye-opening to realize how many misconceptions I had about healthy eating.

I plan to incorporate this newfound knowledge into my daily routine by making more informed choices about what I eat. I aim to balance my meals better, ensuring I get the right mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. I also intend to experiment with healthier cooking methods like steaming and grilling.

I believe you would greatly benefit from attending a similar workshop. Given your interest in fitness, understanding the nutritional aspect could complement your workout routine. Also, the workshop debunked many common myths about dieting, which I think you'd find intriguing.

I hope you consider my suggestion. It's a small investment of time that can lead to significant improvements in our health and wellbeing.

Best regards,
Oliver

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Informative (adjective): This means that something gives you a lot of useful information. You can use this word to describe how helpful the workshop was.
2. Workshop (noun): This is a meeting where people learn about a particular subject. In this case, it was about healthy eating.
3. Benefit (verb): This means to get help or to gain something good from something. You can use this word to explain how your friend might get something good from attending the workshop.
4. Apply (verb): This means to use what you have learned in a real situation. You can use this word to explain how you will use what you learned from the workshop in your everyday life.
5. Decided to attend (verb phrase): This means you made a choice to go to the workshop. You can use this phrase to explain why you went to the workshop.
6. Healthy eating (noun phrase): This means eating foods that are good for your body. You can use this phrase to describe what the workshop was about.
7. New knowledge (noun phrase): This means the new things you have learned. You can use this phrase to explain what you learned at the workshop.
8. Everyday life (noun phrase): This means the normal things you do every day. You can use this phrase to explain where you will use what you learned from the workshop.
9. Attend (verb): This means to go to an event, place, etc. You can use this word to explain that you went to the workshop.
10. Such a workshop (noun phrase): This phrase refers to the workshop you have been talking about. You can use it when suggesting your friend might also benefit from attending a similar event.

Tips:

1. Understand the Purpose: Make sure you understand what the question is asking you to do. In this case, you need to write a letter to a friend about a healthy eating workshop. Make sure you cover all four points mentioned: your reasons for attending, what you learned, how you'll use this knowledge, and why your friend might benefit.

2. Plan Your Letter: Before you start writing, plan out your letter. Decide what you'll say in each paragraph. This will help you stay focused and make sure you cover all the points the question asks for.

3. Use Clear Language: You don't need to use big, fancy words. Just make sure your writing is clear and easy to understand. Your friend should be able to read your letter and understand exactly what you're trying to say.

4. Be Specific: When you're explaining what you learned or how you plan to use this knowledge, be specific. Don't just say "I learned a lot" or "I'll eat healthier". Give examples or details to make your letter more interesting and convincing.

5. Proofread: After you finish writing, read your letter carefully to check for mistakes. Look for any spelling or grammar errors, and make sure you didn't forget to include any of the points the question asked for.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Lots of people say playing sports is good for health. Others say eating right is the key. Both have good points.

Playing sports is good because it makes you strong. It can help your heart and lungs work better. It can also make your muscles and bones strong. For example, my friend, Maria, plays tennis every day. She is very fit and never gets sick.

But, eating right is also important. If you eat too much junk food, you can get sick. You need to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They have vitamins that can help you stay healthy. Also, you need to drink lots of water. My brother, Ahmed, eats very healthy. He eats lots of fruits and vegetables and drinks lots of water. He is also very healthy.

In my opinion, both are important. You need to play sports to be strong. But you also need to eat right to stay healthy. If you do both, you can be very healthy. This is what I do. I play soccer every week and I also eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I feel very good and I am rarely sick.

So, both playing sports and eating right are good for health. You need to do both to be really healthy. This is what I think.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Playing sports and having a balanced diet are two ways that people often use to stay healthy. Both have their own benefits and it's hard to say which one is better.

Playing sports is a great way to keep fit. When we play sports, we move a lot. This helps to burn calories and fat in our body. It also makes our muscles and bones stronger. For example, my friend, Maria, plays tennis every weekend. She told me that she feels more energetic and her body is in good shape because of playing tennis regularly.

On the other hand, having a balanced diet is also important for our health. Eating the right food gives our body the nutrients it needs to function well. For instance, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that help to boost our immune system. Protein from meat or beans helps to build and repair body tissues. My uncle, George, is a good example of this. He always eats a balanced diet and he rarely gets sick.

In my opinion, both playing sports and having a balanced diet are crucial for our health. They complement each other. If we only play sports but eat junk food all the time, our body will not get the nutrients it needs. Likewise, if we only eat healthy food but do not exercise, our body will not be able to burn the calories and fat. So, I believe that we should both play sports and eat a balanced diet to stay healthy.

In conclusion, both playing sports and having a balanced diet have their own benefits. But for the best result, we should do both. This is the key to a healthy and happy life.

Band 9 Example Answer:

The debate about the most effective approach to maintaining good health is a prevalent one. Some people advocate for regular participation in sports, while others emphasize the importance of a balanced diet. Both viewpoints have their merits, which I will explore before sharing my personal perspective.

Engaging in sports on a regular basis has numerous health benefits. Firstly, it helps to maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and fat. For instance, a 30-minute game of football can burn up to 300 calories. Secondly, sports can improve cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and reducing the risk of heart diseases. Lastly, playing sports can enhance mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. My friend, Carlos, for example, plays basketball thrice a week and he has managed to keep his weight in check and his spirits high.

On the other hand, a balanced diet is also crucial for good health. Consuming a variety of foods ensures that the body gets all the necessary nutrients it needs for normal functioning. For example, fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and fibre, while proteins aid in body repair and growth. Furthermore, a balanced diet can prevent diseases such as obesity, heart diseases, and diabetes. My aunt, Maria, has been able to manage her diabetes effectively by adhering to a balanced diet.

In my opinion, both playing sports and having a balanced diet are essential for maintaining good health. They complement each other and should not be seen as mutually exclusive. Regular physical activity can help burn off the excess calories that cannot be cut through diet alone. Simultaneously, a balanced diet provides the necessary fuel for physical activity. Therefore, a combination of both is the most effective way to stay healthy. For instance, I have managed to maintain a healthy weight and stay energetic by incorporating both a balanced diet and regular sports into my lifestyle.

In conclusion, while both regular sports and a balanced diet have their unique benefits, they are most effective when combined. Therefore, it is essential to both eat healthily and engage in physical activity to maintain good health.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Physical activity (noun phrase): This means moving your body that uses energy. It can be playing sports, running, or even walking.
2. Nutritious (adjective): This word describes food that is good for your body because it has all the things your body needs to stay healthy.
3. Endorse (verb): When you endorse something, you say you agree with it or support it.
4. Preventive measures (noun phrase): These are actions taken to stop something bad from happening, like getting sick.
5. Boost immunity (verb phrase): This means to make your body stronger against diseases.
6. Essential vitamins and minerals (noun phrase): These are important substances that our bodies need to work properly, which we get from eating different types of food.
7. Cardiovascular health (noun phrase): This is about how healthy your heart and blood vessels are.
8. Mental well-being (noun phrase): This refers to how healthy your mind is, like your feelings and thoughts.
9. Moderation (noun): This means not doing too much or too little of something, but just the right amount.
10. Physical endurance (noun phrase): This is about how long you can keep doing a physical activity without getting too tired.
11. Lean towards (verb phrase): When you lean towards something, you prefer it or think it might be the best choice.
12. Optimal health (noun phrase): This is the best health you can have, when both your body and mind are in good condition.
13. Adopt a lifestyle (verb phrase): This means to start living in a certain way, like eating healthy or doing regular exercise.
14. Strike a balance (verb phrase): This means to find a good or satisfying combination of two or more different things.
15. Longevity (noun): This is about how long you live.

Tips:

1. Understand the question: The first thing you need to do is to make sure you understand the question. This question wants you to discuss the benefits of both playing sports regularly and having a balanced diet for a person's health. After discussing both perspectives, you'll also need to give your own opinion on the matter.

2. Plan your essay: Before you start writing, make a plan. Decide what points you're going to make about sports and diet, and think about what examples you can use to support your points. Also, decide what your personal perspective is and how you're going to explain it.

3. Structure your essay properly: Your essay should have an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for each viewpoint), and a conclusion. In the introduction, briefly mention what you're going to discuss. In the body paragraphs, discuss the benefits of sports and diet separately, providing examples where necessary. In the conclusion, provide your personal perspective and summarize your main points.

4. Use clear language: It's important that your essay is easy to understand. Use simple, clear language and avoid using big words just to sound smart. If you're not sure about a word, it's better to use a simpler one that you know is correct.

5. Review your work: After you've finished writing, take a few minutes to check your work. Look for any spelling or grammar mistakes, and make sure you've answered the question fully and clearly. It's also a good idea to check that your essay flows well and that your arguments make sense.