Rise of Fast Food — Band 7 Model Answer

The global spread of fast food chains and the decline of traditional culinary practicesExaminer notePrecise noun phrase — "culinary practices" is more sophisticated than "traditional food". Band 7 LR. reflect broader changes in how people work, live and relate to food. I consider this development to be largely negative, though the causes are understandable.

Several interconnected factors explain the rise of fast food.Examiner noteShort, direct topic sentence — appropriate and effective at Band 7. Urbanisation and longer working hours have reduced the time and energy people have for cookingExaminer notePrecise causal statement. at home. Fast food's affordability makes it accessible to low-income households for whom fresh ingredients and cooking fuel may represent significant costsExaminer noteRelative clause that adds nuance — shows Band 7 analytical depth. . Aggressive marketing by multinational food corporations, particularly targeting children, has also cultivated brand loyalty from an early ageExaminer notePrecise verb-noun collocation — Band 7 LR. .

The consequences are predominantly negative. High levels of salt, sugar and saturated fat in fast food are strongly associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetesExaminer notePassive reporting with precise medical terms — Band 7 LR., conditions that are rising rapidly in populations adopting Western dietary patterns. Cultural losses are also significant: as traditional recipes are passed down less frequently, intangible culinary heritageExaminer notePrecise compound noun — "intangible heritage" references UNESCO cultural concepts. Band 7 LR. accumulated over centuries is at risk of permanent loss.

In conclusion, while fast food meets genuine needs in modern life, its health and cultural costs are substantial. Nutritional labelling, limits on marketing to children and support for local food cultures can mitigate the worst effects.