IELTS WRITING TECHNIQUES

Compare the two texts below.

A/ Nowadays, the variety and availability of food means there is far more customer choice than half a
century ago. However, global population growth and increasing environmental concerns have led to
doubts about the long-term feasibility of maintaining supplies of basic foodstuffs. This has resulted in
increased research into new foods and farming methods.

B/ These days we can get many different types of food – there is a lot more for customers to choose
from than there was 50 years ago. But because the world population is growing and there are many
more problems with the environment, people are worried that we won’t be able to keep on feeding
everyone in the future. That’s why scientists are looking into new types of food and the way farmers
grow their crops.

1. Which text is more informal? Which is more formal and academic?

2. Which text uses more noun phrases?

Underline examples of noun phrases which are used to replace verbs.

Nominalization is the use of a noun or noun phrase to replace a verb. It is commonly used in academic
writing.

Paraphrase the following sentences using nominalization.

1. Farming methods have developed which produce more crops.

___________________________________________________________________________

2. Eating plenty of oily fish can increase concentration levels.

___________________________________________________________________________

3. More and more young people take extreme measures to lose weight.
___________________________________________________________________________

4. People are more interested in foreign cuisine so it is easier to find unusual ingredients in
supermarkets.
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Suggested answers:

1. The development of farming methods has led to increased crop production.

2. A diet high in fish oil can lead to an increase in levels of concentration.
3. There is a growing tendency for young people to take extreme measures to achieve weight
loss.
4. An increased interest in foreign cuisine has led to improved availability of unusual
ingredients in supermarkets.