To meet the growing need for food to support an increasing population, a country should make use of edible insects as a food source. However, some people believe that insects are not only unhealthy but harvesting them will also negatively affect nature. What are the benefits and drawbacks of eating insects? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

✨ Do you want to improve your IELTS writing?

As global

food

Use synonyms

demand increases

due to

Linking Words

rapid population growth, alternative

food

Use synonyms

sources

such

Linking Words

as edible

insects

Use synonyms

have been proposed to address

this

Linking Words

issue.

While

Linking Words

some advocate for their nutritional

benefits

Use synonyms

and environmental advantages, others argue that consuming

insects

Use synonyms

may pose

health

Use synonyms

risks and disrupt natural ecosystems.

This

Linking Words

essay will discuss both the

benefits

Use synonyms

and drawbacks of incorporating

insects

Use synonyms

into human diets. One of the primary advantages of eating

insects

Use synonyms

is their high nutritional value.

Insects

Use synonyms

are rich in

protein

Use synonyms

, vitamins, and essential minerals, making them a viable alternative to traditional sources of

protein

Use synonyms

such

Linking Words

as meat and fish.

For example

Linking Words

, crickets contain nearly the same amount of

protein

Use synonyms

as beef

while

Linking Words

being lower in fat.

This

Linking Words

makes them a suitable option for combating malnutrition, especially in developing countries where access to meat is limited.

In addition

Linking Words

to their nutritional

benefits

Use synonyms

insect

Use synonyms

farming is significantly more sustainable than conventional livestock farming.

Insects

Use synonyms

require fewer resources,

such

Linking Words

as land, water, and feed, and they produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

According to

Linking Words

a study by the

Food

Use synonyms

and Agriculture Organization (FAO), producing one kilogram of

insect

Use synonyms

protein

Use synonyms

emits considerably less carbon dioxide than an equivalent amount of beef.

Consequently

Linking Words

, the consumption of

insects

Use synonyms

could help mitigate climate change and reduce environmental degradation. Despite these

benefits

Use synonyms

, many people remain

skeptical

Change the spelling

sceptical

show examples

about the safety and ethical implications of

insect

Use synonyms

consumption. One major concern is the potential

health

Use synonyms

risks associated with eating

insects

Use synonyms

. Unlike livestock, which is subject to rigorous

health

Use synonyms

regulations,

insects

Use synonyms

are often harvested from the wild or farmed with minimal oversight.

This

Linking Words

raises concerns about contamination, foodborne diseases, and allergic reactions.

For instance

Linking Words

, some

insects

Use synonyms

may contain harmful bacteria or toxins if not properly prepared, leading to

food

Use synonyms

poisoning.

Moreover

Linking Words

, large-scale

insect

Use synonyms

harvesting could disrupt ecosystems. Many

insects

Use synonyms

play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance,

such

Linking Words

as pollination and waste decomposition. Overharvesting certain species could have unintended consequences, including the decline of

insect

Use synonyms

populations and disruptions in

food

Use synonyms

chains.

For example

Linking Words

, excessive harvesting of wild

insects

Use synonyms

could reduce pollinators, negatively affecting crop yields and biodiversity. In conclusion,

while

Linking Words

the consumption of

insects

Use synonyms

offers several

benefits

Use synonyms

, including nutritional value and environmental sustainability, it

also

Linking Words

raises concerns about

health

Use synonyms

risks and ecological impacts. To maximize the advantages

while

Linking Words

minimizing the drawbacks, governments and

food

Use synonyms

safety organizations should establish clear regulations and promote sustainable farming practices. Ultimately, whether

insects

Use synonyms

become a mainstream

food

Use synonyms

source will depend on public perception and cultural acceptance, which may take time to evolve.

seyyed.arshamMon Feb 24 2025

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Task Achievement

Your essay effectively covers the topic and presents a balanced view of the benefits and drawbacks. However, consider strengthening the link between your examples and your arguments for clearer understanding.

Coherence and Cohesion

Your essay is well structured with a clear introduction and conclusion. To enhance coherence, try using more transitional phrases to connect your ideas smoothly across paragraphs.

Introduction

The introduction clearly states the issue and outlines your response, setting a great stage for the discussion.

Supporting Details

Your use of specific examples, like the comparison between crickets and beef, supports your arguments effectively, making your points more persuasive.

Your opinion

Don’t put your opinion unless you are asked to give it.

If the question asks what you think, you MUST give your opinion to get a good score.

Don’t leave your opinion until the conclusion.

Here are examples of instructions that require you to give your opinion:

...do you agree or disagree?...do you think...?...your opinion...?

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

11
Linking words
meeting the goal of 7 or more
6
Word repetition
meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
1
Grammar mistakes
detected issues

0123456789.0505

Overall Band Score

Coherence and Cohesion: 5.0

Logical structure

Introduction & conclusion present

Supported main points

Accurate linking words

Variety in linking words

Lexical resource: 5.0

Varied vocabulary

Accurate spelling & word formation

Grammatical Range: 8.0

Mix of complex & simple sentences

Clear and correct grammar

Task Achievement: 7.0

Complete response

Clear & comprehensive ideas

Relevant & specific examples

Appropriate word count

6 paragraphs

414 words

🚀 Prepare for IELTS writing section today!

Unlimited Task 1 & Task 2 checks
Practice with essays, charts, and letters.
Personalized suggestions & mistake analysis
Spot every mistake and boost your score.
Topic ideas & vocabulary helpers
Expand your ideas and use the right words.
Progress tracking
Watch your writing improve with every practice.

Topic Vocabulary:

food scarcity
edible insects
nutritional benefits
cultural barriers
psychological barriers
mainstream food source
carbon footprint
greenhouse gas emissions
environmentally sustainable
economic benefits
local farmers
health safety
allergies
pesticides
pollutants
ecosystems
biodiversity
regulations
hygiene
unforeseen consequences

What to do next:

Look at other essays:

7.5
band
Some people think that countries should limit the amount of food that they import and mainly eat products from their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
With the de-globalisation progressing, regional protectionism is spreading in many sections, one of which is food supply. Some people have even argued that we should boycott importing food and completely depend on domestic agricultural products. This opinion is understandable when given the competition domestic farmers are under, but it is not reasonable and practicable as we are living in a society which has never been so interdependent on each other.
6.5
band
Practice 2: Some people say that the government should spend more money taking care of elderly people while others think that government spending should be spent more on the education of young people. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Dedicating specific amounts of money to take care of old people has become a vital topic of debate. While some people believe that governments should take proactive steps for this trend, others argue that spending countless money to improve the education of the younger generation is more essential. Both sides of the argument highlight significant points which will be discussed by following my own view at the end.
6
band
You live near a university and would like to earn some extra money by renting a room in your apartment to a student. Write a letter to the university housing office.
I am living in a cottage near Boston University. I am the only one in this house because my parents went on holiday and they will come back home next year. So I have decided to request you a student.
7
band
you recently attended a meeting at a hotel. When you return home, you found you had left some important papers at the hotel. Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter: * say where you think you left the papers * explain why they are so important * tell the manager what you want him/her to do
I am writing this letter to inform you about my left out Important paper at your hotel.
7
band
In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
It is argued that companies by using various methods in their advertising are trying to announce new features. While it seems like a competition among manufacturers, I believe that it would have positive effects on communities.

Your opinion

Some people think that countries should limit the amount of food that they import and mainly eat products from their own country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Practice 2: Some people say that the government should spend more money taking care of elderly people while others think that government spending should be spent more on the education of young people. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

You live near a university and would like to earn some extra money by renting a room in your apartment to a student. Write a letter to the university housing office.

In their advertising, businesses nowadays usually emphasise that their products are new in some way. Why is this? Do you think it is a positive or negative development?