Vocabulary is an important aspect of the IELTS exam, especially when discussing familiar topics like food. It shows your ability to express your ideas clearly and effectively, enhancing both coherence and cohesion in the IELTS Speaking and IELTS Writing sections. It constitutes 25% of the total marks in both sections.
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Whether you’re discussing your favourite dishes, talking about food preparation, or describing your eating habits, having a strong command of food vocabulary can make a big difference in your IELTS performance. In this blog, we’ll explore essential food and cooking vocabulary IELTS, useful phrases, and tips to help you confidently talk about food in IELTS.
Understanding Food Vocabulary for IELTS
Food vocabulary for IELTS refers to a range of words and phrases related to food, cooking, eating habits, and nutrition that can help you express ideas clearly in cue card, discussions, and essays. A strong grasp of words related to foods allows you to describe your favourite dish, discuss healthy eating habits, or analyse food trends fluently.
Why is Food Vocabulary Important for IELTS?
Are you a foodie? If so, you might find learning food words or foodie vocabulary quite interesting.
Food vocabulary is important for the IELTS exam for several reasons:
- Common topic: Food is a part of our everyday life, and that’s why it is one of the common topics in the IELTS exam. Having a strong vocabulary words related to food can help you discuss the topics in depth.
- Demonstrates Language Proficiency: Using specialised food terms and idioms rather than basic words can demonstrate your proficiency in the language. Expressions like “a slap-up meal”, “to eat like a horse”, and “my mouth is watering” can add colour to your speech.
- Nuanced Arguments: By using precise, descriptive food vocabulary, you can present your nuanced arguments clearly and effectively. This can help you to achieve a high IELTS band score.
In addition to this, food is closely tied to culture. Expanding your food related vocabulary IELTS can help you explore different cuisines, understand cultural practices, and engage in meaningful discussions about food and society.
How to Use Food Vocabulary in IELTS Speaking and Writing?
Using food vocabulary correctly enhances your responses in IELTS. In speaking, it adds depth to your descriptions, while in writing, it makes arguments more precise.
To use IELTS vocabulary for food effectively, you should:
- Learn words related to different food categories like cooking vocabulary ielts and diet vocabulary ielts.
- Practise using food-related phrases naturally in conversations.
- Avoid repetition by using food synonyms for IELTS and descriptive adjectives.
- Incorporate food idioms where appropriate, such as “a piece of cake” (something easy) or “bite off more than you can chew” (taking on too much).
Read on to learn new Food vocabulary IELTS and improve your language skills as part of your IELTS preparation.
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Essential Food Vocabulary Categories
Food as a topic covers various topics ranging from cuisines, recipes, techniques, etc. We have divided the vocabulary related to food into 6 categories so that you can understand and associate the words better.
Here are some common food vocabulary words with meaning asked in the IELTS exam:
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Food Types
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | A meal consists of four parts, namely a soup, appetiser, main course and dessert. | Italian cuisine is my go-to at any time of the day |
| Four-course meal | A meal consists of four parts, namely a soup, appetiser, main course and dessert | Indian weddings generally have four-course meals for guests |
| Nutritious | A meal consisting of all the required nutrients | Having a healthy, nutritious diet plan is the key to a healthy life |
| Dairy | Products created from milk, such as yoghurt, cream, butter, etc | Most vegans avoid dairy products and have shifted to alternatives like almond milk |
| Barbecue | A meal in which food is cooked over an open fire outdoors or in a special appliance | India doesn’t have the trend of barbecues as much as the West |
| Buffet | A meal that consists of a number of dishes that guests often have to serve for themselves | Breakfast buffets at hotels are becoming a very popular thing these days |
| Appetiser | The food is served after the soup and before the main course during a meal | For our appetisers, we’d like to have spring rolls, please, and some hors d’oeuvre |
| Grains | Seeds of cereal plants | Whole grains are a healthy choice. |
| Vegetables | Edible parts of plants | Eat more vegetables for a balanced diet. |
| Fruits | Edible seed-bearing parts of plants | Fresh fruits are rich in vitamins. |
Food Condition
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Overcooked | Cooked beyond the optimal cooking time | The pasta was overcooked and too soft |
| Fresh | Food materials or products that have been recently prepared | The marinara at that outlet is prepared fresh every day |
| Raw | Not cooked properly/at all | The vegetables were raw and hard to chew |
| Stale/Rotten | Spoiled and past its optimal usage time | The whole room smells like rotten eggs |
| Unripe | Immature food item – not fit for consumption | The bananas you bought yesterday were unripe |
| Off | Not tasting as it should | The food at last night’s restaurant seemed off to me |
| Ripe | Fully grown and ready to eat | The bananas were ripe and ready to eat. |
| Tender | Soft and easy to chew | The steak was tender and delicious. |
| Juicy | Full of juice | The watermelon was sweet and juicy. |
| Crisp | Firm and fresh; crunchy | The lettuce was crisp and fresh. |
Food Verbs
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bake | Cook food with dry heat and without exposure to a flame | She has been a fan of baking ever since she got back from France |
| Poach | Cooking an egg without its outer shell in or over boiling water | I like my eggs poached and cooked well |
| Grill | Cooking food using a grill | That place serves the best grilled chicken in the city |
| Food Preparation | Cooking food by mixing and combining ingredients | The food preparation at her house was amazing |
| Fry | Cooking food in hot oil or fat | While frying, you should always look out for oil splatter |
| Chop | Cut into small pieces | She chopped the onions finely. |
| Boil | Cook in boiling water | Boil the potatoes until they are soft. |
| Stir | Mix with a circular motion | Stir the soup occasionally while it cooks. |
| Sauté | Cook quickly in a small amount of oil | Sauté the vegetables in olive oil. |
| Whisk | Beat or stir with a light, rapid movement | Whisk the eggs until they are fluffy. |
Food Quantities
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Pint | A unit that is equal to 550 millilitres | I grabbed a pint of milk on my way home |
| Portion | A part or section of a whole | I just want a small portion of the pie |
| Spoonful | As much as a spoon can hold | I take my coffee with two spoonfuls of sugar |
| Slice | A small portion of a whole | I am on a diet and had only one slice of the cake |
| Dollop | A shapeless mass or blob of something | Add a dollop of cream on the pie. |
| Dash | A small quantity of a liquid | Add a dash of lemon juice to the salad. |
| Cup | A unit of measure, typically for liquids | Use a cup of milk for the recipe. |
| Handful | The amount held in one hand | She took a handful of nuts from the bowl. |
| Bunch | A number of things of the same kind, growing or fastened together | She bought a bunch of bananas. |
| Cluster | A group of similar things or people positioned closely together | There was a cluster of grapes on the table. |
| Piece | A part of something | She had a piece of chocolate after dinner. |
Food Taste
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bland | Tasteless or having little taste | The food tasted bland without the spices |
| Spicy | Flavoured with spices | Indians have a taste for spicy food and snacks |
| Savoury | Delicious | She cooks amazing and savoury food. |
| Mild | Not hot, sharp or strong in flavour | Elderly people like to have food with mild spices and flavours |
| Delicious | Extremely good tasting | Cooking delicious food is an art |
| Tasteless | Having no taste or flavour | The food at that new restaurant is completely tasteless |
| Sweet | Having a pleasant taste like sugar | The candy was very sweet. |
| Sour | Having an acidic taste | The lemon was sour. |
| Bitter | Having a sharp, unpleasant taste | The coffee was too bitter. |
Eating & Drinking
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Guzzle | Eat or drink something hurriedly | He guzzled his drink before getting on the train |
| Gulp | Eating or swallowing food in large mouthfuls | Rather than gulping your food, you should chew and eat it properly |
| Wining & Dining | Entertainment that includes good food and drinks | The company wined and dined their prospective investors |
| Swallow | Allowing food or drinks to pass down the throat | Her mannerism of swallowing audibly made everyone uncomfortable |
| Chew | Biting and crushing food in the mouth to make it easier to swallow | Proper chewing helps with better digestion |
| Sip | Drink in small quantities | She sipped her tea slowly. |
| Gulp | Swallow quickly in large amounts | He gulped down the water after his run. |
| Munch | Eat steadily and often audibly | She munched on an apple. |
| Nibble | Take small bites | He nibbled on some cheese. |
List of Food Vocabulary IELTS: Phrases & Collocations
Phrases and collocations are important for IELTS vocabulary as they enhance fluency and accuracy. Mastering these aspects demonstrates your deeper understanding of language, helping you to sound more confident and coherent in your responses.
Here are some phrases & collocations used for food-related words:
Phrases
| Phrases | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| A balanced diet | A diet consisting of healthy food with good nutrients | Maintaining a balanced diet is the key to a healthy life |
| A scrumptious meal | An extremely delicious meal | His mother cooked up a scrumptious meal for us |
| Calm the hunger pangs | Reducing the discomfort caused by hunger | He grabbed a quick bite to eat to calm his hunger pangs |
| Cut down on | Reducing the intake | Since diabetes is hereditary in my family, I’ve cut down on my sugar intake |
| Sweet tooth | A person fond of sweet food | She has a very sweet tooth when it comes to brownies |
| Junk food | Food with little or no nutritional value | Eating junk food every day can harm your body |
| My mouth is watering | Feeling hungry for something | My mouth watered at the thought of fried chicken |
| Fussy eater | Someone who dislikes many foods | Her baby is a fussy eater |
| Quick Snack | A small meal that you can eat on the go | I was feeling too lazy to cook, so I ordered a takeaway from my favourite restaurant. |
| Takeaway | A meal prepared in a restaurant and eaten at home | Since diabetes is hereditary in my family, I’ve cut down on my sugar intake. |
| A bottle of bubbly | Sparkling wine | To celebrate their anniversary, they opened up a bottle of bubbly at the restaurant. |
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh produce | Fruits and vegetables that are fresh | The market offers a wide range of fresh produce. |
| Junk food | Unhealthy food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value | Eating too much junk food can lead to health problems. |
| Balanced diet | A diet that includes a variety of different foods in the right proportions | Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for good health. |
| Fast food | Food that can be prepared and served quickly | They often eat fast food for lunch due to their busy schedules. |
| Processed food | Food that has been altered from its natural state | Processed foods often contain high levels of sugar and salt. |
| Staple food | A basic or main food that is eaten regularly | Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries. |
| Comfort food | Food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being is typically associated with childhood or home cooking. | She turned to comfort food like macaroni and cheese during stressful times. |
| Organic food | Food produced without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial agents | Many people prefer organic food for its perceived health benefits. |
| Gourmet food | High-quality, sophisticated, and often expensive food | They enjoyed a gourmet meal at the five-star restaurant. |
| Home-cooked meal | A meal prepared at home rather than purchased from a restaurant or store | There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal. |
| Light snack | A small amount of food eaten between meals | She had a light snack of fruit in the afternoon. |
Food Vocabulary in IELTS Speaking
Food-related topics frequently appear in the IELTS Speaking test. Familiarity with relevant vocabulary helps you respond confidently to cue cards and follow-up questions.
Here are some common food-related cue card topics, along with sample answers to help you excel in the exam:
- Describe Your Favourite Food
- Describe A Restaurant That You Enjoyed Going To
- Describe A Special Meal That Someone Made For You
- Describe a Chocolate You Didn’t Like
- Describe a Dinner you Really Enjoyed
- Describe a Special Cake You Received From Others
Food Vocabulary in IELTS Writing
In the IELTS writing section, it’s important to incorporate food vocabulary by vividly describing different types of food, cooking techniques, and eating customs. When discussing food, you should use expressive adjectives to depict flavours, textures, and aromas in your descriptions. Hence, familiarising yourself with these words is crucial if you want to do well in the IELTS exam.
Below, you’ll find the food vocabulary list for both task 1 and task 2.
Writing Task 1: Describing Food Trends
In IELTS Writing Task 1, you might be asked to analyse charts, graphs, or tables related to food consumption patterns. Here are some useful food vocabulary words with meaning.
| Words | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Surge | A sudden increase | There was a surge in organic food sales last year. |
| Decline | A decrease or drop | The consumption of sugary drinks has declined significantly. |
| Plateau | A levelling off after growth | Meat consumption reached a plateau in 2020. |
| Fluctuate | To rise and fall irregularly | Vegetable prices tend to fluctuate seasonally. |
| Staple | A basic food eaten regularly | Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries. |
Writing Task 2: Discussing Diet and Health
For IELTS Writing Task 2, you might need to write an essay on food-related topics such as diet, obesity, and food choices. The table below provides useful food vocabulary words with meaning.
| Words | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritious | Providing essential nutrients | A balanced diet includes nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables. |
| Malnutrition | Lack of proper nutrition | Many children suffer from malnutrition due to poverty. |
| Processed food | Food altered during preparation | Consuming too much processed food can lead to health issues. |
| Obesity | Excessive body fat | Obesity rates have risen sharply in recent decades. |
| Sustainable | Environmentally friendly | Promoting sustainable farming practices benefits future generations. |
Tips to Remember Food Vocabulary for IELTS
Building and retaining food vocabulary IELTS is all about consistent practice. Here are some tips:
- Contextual Learning: Read articles, watch documentaries, or listen to podcasts related to food, health, and nutrition to see vocabulary in context.
- Create Flashcards: Create flashcards with the word on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other to reinforce memory.
- Practice Writing: Incorporate new vocabulary into your essays or summaries to enhance retention and understand usage.
- Use Mnemonics: Associate difficult words with images or stories to make them easier to recall. For instance, link “surge” with a wave rising suddenly.
- Engage in Discussions: Discuss food-related topics with peers or mentors to practice using new terms in conversation.
- Use mind maps: Connect words with images and related concepts to remember them easily.
Practice Exercises for Food Vocabulary for IELTS
Practice is key to mastering food-related vocabulary. Below are some exercises to test and strengthen your understanding.
Vocabulary Matching Exercise
Match the following words with their correct meanings:
- Surge
- Malnutrition
- Nutritious
- Fluctuate
- Sustainable
a) Rise and fall irregularly
b) Environmentally friendly
c) A sudden increase
d) Lack of proper nutrition
e) Providing essential nutrients
Answer Key: 1-c, 2-d, 3-e, 4-a, 5-b
Fill in the Blanks with Food Vocabulary
Complete the sentences below using appropriate food vocabulary:
- _______ is a growing problem among children due to junk food consumption.
- To stay healthy, it is important to eat a _______ that includes proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins.
- Many people prefer _______ products as they are free from pesticides and artificial chemicals.
- Junk food is often high in _______ and can lead to weight gain.
- Fresh vegetables and dairy products are _______ and need proper storage.
Answer Key: 1. Obesity, 2. Balanced diet, 3. Organic, 4. Calorie intake, 5. Perishable
Practicing these exercises and incorporating food related vocabulary IELTS into your writing will help you achieve a higher IELTS score. To further boost your preparation, consider enrolling in Leap Scholar’s IELTS free masterclass, which offers comprehensive training, live classes, and personalised feedback to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I practice food vocabulary for IELTS?
Ans. You can improve your vocabulary for IELTS through the following methods:
A. Look up words you hear for the first time and understand their meaning.
B. Listen to audio pronunciations.
C. Read newspapers, books and magazines about food.
D. Use vocabulary-building apps.
E. Learn about the grammatical nature of different terms such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
Q. Why is food vocabulary important for the IELTS exam?
Ans. To score well in the IELTS exam, it’s important to have a good grasp of food vocabulary because it’s a common topic in the test. You might be required to talk about food, cooking techniques, or eating habits in the reading, writing, listening, or speaking sections of the exam. Having a solid understanding of food-related terms and being able to express yourself clearly on these topics will definitely help you to ace the IELTS exam.
Q. What are essential 20 words related to food for IELTS?
Ans. Essential food-related words for IELTS include: appetiser, entrée, dessert, cuisine, gourmet, savoury, umami, marinate, sauté, simmer, garnish, aroma, palate, fusion, organic, gluten-free, vegan, buffet, delicacy, and fermentation.
Q. How can I improve my food vocabulary for IELTS Speaking?
Ans. To enhance your food vocabulary for IELTS Speaking, read culinary articles, watch cooking shows, and practice describing dishes. Engage in conversations about food, learn new recipes, and use flashcards to memorise terms. Regularly incorporating new words into daily discussions will solidify your understanding.
Q. What types of food vocabulary are commonly tested in IELTS?
Ans. IELTS commonly tests vocabulary related to food preparation methods (e.g., grilling, baking), tastes and textures (e.g., spicy, crunchy), dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian, vegan), and culinary traditions (e.g., cuisine, delicacy). Understanding these categories aids in effective communication during the exam.
Q. Can I use informal food vocabulary in IELTS Speaking?
Ans. Yes, using informal food vocabulary in IELTS Speaking is acceptable, especially when discussing personal experiences or preferences. However, ensure that the language is appropriate for the context and that you can also demonstrate a range of formal vocabulary when required.
Q. How do I describe a meal effectively in IELTS Writing Task 1?
Ans. In IELTS Writing Task 1, describing a meal effectively involves detailing the components, preparation methods, flavours, and presentation. Use descriptive adjectives and precise verbs to convey the sensory experience, and structure your description logically, starting from the introduction to the conclusion of the meal.
Q. What are some advanced food-related words for IELTS?
Ans. Advanced food-related words for IELTS include: gastronomy, umami, degustation, sous-vide, gastrique, en croute, amuse-bouche, confit, deglaze, and emulsify. Incorporating these terms can showcase a sophisticated vocabulary.
Q. What food-related cue card topics are common in IELTS?
Ans. Common food-related cue card topics in IELTS include:
-Describing your favourite dish.
-Talking about a memorable meal you’ve had.
-Discussing traditional food from your country.
-Explaining how to prepare a specific dish.
-Describing a special meal you had with friends or family.
These topics assess your ability to discuss personal experiences and cultural aspects related to food.
Q. How can I remember complex food vocabulary?
Ans. To remember complex food vocabulary, create associations with familiar concepts, use mnemonic devices, and practice regularly by incorporating new words into sentences. Engaging in cooking or dining experiences can also provide practical contexts for these terms, enhancing retention.
Q. What food words should I avoid using in IELTS?
Ans. Avoid using overly simplistic or vague food words in IELTS, such as “nice,” “good,” or “bad.” Instead, opt for precise and descriptive terms to convey your ideas more effectively. Additionally, refrain from using slang or colloquial expressions that may not be universally understood.
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