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With the growing focus on health and wellness, discussions about the habits that contribute to a long and healthy life have become increasingly prominent. Daily media coverage of fitness trends, dietary advice, and exercise routines reflects society’s concern with physical and mental well-being. While some argue that a good diet and regular exercise are not necessary for achieving longevity, others maintain that these practices are essential for maintaining health and preventing diseases. This debate over ‘Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life. To What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree? IELTS Writing Task 2’ continues to attract attention from health experts, educators, and policymakers alike.
This Blog Includes:
- Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life: IELTS Writing Task 2 Overview
- Sample Structure 1: Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life. To What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree?
- Sample Structure 2: Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life. To What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life: IELTS Writing Task 2 Overview
Building on the broader discussion of lifestyle and health, it is clear that diet and exercise play a central role in determining overall well-being and longevity. In IELTS Writing Task 2, the topic asks candidates to evaluate the importance of nutrition and physical activity in promoting a long and healthy life. The discussion requires analysing both perspectives: one that suggests diet and exercise are not essential, and another that emphasises their crucial contribution to physical and mental health. Understanding these viewpoints allows students to construct a balanced argument, provide relevant examples, and organise their essay coherently to achieve a high band score.
To provide clarity on the main perspectives, essay focus, and preparation strategy, the following table summarises key points, illustrative examples, and topic-related vocabulary.
| Description of the IELTS Writing Task 2 | This task requires candidates to discuss whether good diet and regular exercise are necessary for a long and healthy life. Students should analyse both viewpoints and present a clear stance. |
| Perspectives on the Topic | Agree: A balanced diet and regular physical activity are fundamental for maintaining cardiovascular health, strengthening immunity, managing weight, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Disagree: Some argue that genetics, medical interventions, and lifestyle factors beyond diet and exercise can play a larger role in longevity, suggesting that strict routines may not be essential. |
| Focus of Essay | Present a clear opinion with logical reasoning and relevant examples. Discuss both sides if adopting a balanced stance. Use real-world illustrations such as studies on nutrition, exercise regimes, or populations with long lifespans to strengthen arguments and maintain cohesion. |
| Tips for IELTS Writing Task 2 (Discussion-Based Essay) | Use advanced vocabulary such as cardiovascular health, metabolic rate, chronic diseases, physical fitness, and dietary habits. Begin paragraphs with clear topic sentences, use cohesive devices like on the one hand, however, moreover, and conclude with a decisive opinion to achieve Band 8-level writing. |
Sample Structure 1: Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life. To What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree?
The following structure presents a clear approach by addressing both perspectives. It explains the view that modern medicine and genetics may reduce the need for diet and exercise, alongside the perspective that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for long-term health. The essay also clearly states the writer’s opinion, supported by reasoning and relevant examples, making it suitable for a Band 8 IELTS Writing Task 2 response.
Introduction: Paraphrase the topic. State your opinion clearly (agree or disagree to what extent).
Body Paragraph 1: Importance of a good diet
- Explain how balanced nutrition supports immunity, organ function, and overall health.
- Give an example of populations or studies showing diet’s impact on longevity.
Body Paragraph 2: Importance of regular exercise
- Discuss benefits of physical activity: maintaining weight, reducing chronic disease risk, improving mental health.
- Include an example such as recommended weekly exercise guidelines or long-lived communities with active lifestyles.
Body Paragrahp 3: Counterargument and balanced view
- Acknowledge that genetics, medical care, and other factors also affect lifespan.
- Rebut or balance by showing that diet and exercise still have a measurable, preventive effect.
Conclusion: Restate your stance and summarise key arguments. Highlight the importance of diet and exercise in achieving long-term health, even if other factors contribute.
Sample Essay 1
In today’s world, maintaining good health is a major concern, and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in determining overall well-being. While some people argue that a balanced diet and regular exercise are not essential for a long and healthy life, I strongly disagree. I believe that proper nutrition and physical activity are fundamental for sustaining both physical and mental health throughout life.
A healthy diet provides the essential nutrients that the body needs to function optimally. Balanced nutrition supports immunity, organ function, and energy levels, helping individuals resist illness and recover from injuries more effectively. For example, populations consuming diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, such as those following the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to enjoy lower rates of heart disease and longer lifespans compared to those with poor dietary habits.
Regular exercise complements a good diet by enhancing physical fitness and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Activities like walking, cycling, swimming, or strength training help maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular health, and strengthen bones and muscles. Furthermore, physical activity has mental health benefits, reducing stress, anxiety, and the risk of depression. Studies recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, demonstrating its significant impact on overall health and longevity.
It is true that factors such as genetics, medical care, and socioeconomic conditions also influence life expectancy. However, even with favorable genes or access to healthcare, poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles can lead to preventable health issues. Therefore, while other factors contribute to long life, diet and exercise remain essential components of a healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, a good diet and regular exercise are indispensable for maintaining long-term health and well-being. Although genetics and medical interventions play a role in determining lifespan, adopting balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle provides the most effective foundation for a long and healthy life.
| List of Difficult Words Used in Sample 1 | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms |
| Well-being | The state of being healthy and comfortable | Health, welfare, wellness | Illness, discomfort |
| Optimal | Best or most effective | Ideal, perfect, peak | Suboptimal, inadequate |
| Chronic diseases | Long-lasting health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease | Persistent illnesses, long-term conditions | Acute illness, temporary conditions |
| Cardiovascular health | Health of the heart and blood vessels | Heart health, circulatory health | Heart disease, circulatory disorder |
| Sedentary | Involving little physical activity | Inactive, stationary | Active, mobile |
| Longevity | Long life or duration of life | Lifespan, endurance | Short life, brevity |
| Nutrients | Substances needed for growth, energy, and health | Food elements, dietary components | Toxins, harmful substances |
| Mediterranean diet | A diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats | Balanced diet, healthy diet | Junk food diet, unhealthy diet |
| Preventable | Capable of being stopped or avoided | Avoidable, stoppable | Unavoidable, inevitable |
| Physical activity | Any movement that requires energy and improves health | Exercise, movement | Inactivity, idleness |
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Sample Structure 2: Some People Say a Good Diet and Regular Exercise Are Not Necessary for a Long and Healthy Life. To What Extent Do You Agree or Disagree?
Building on the overview of lifestyle and longevity, this structure provides an alternative approach to organising a Band 8-level essay. It addresses both perspectives while clearly presenting the writer’s opinion and supporting it with examples and reasoning.
Introduction
- Start with a hook: highlight society’s growing focus on health and longevity.
- Paraphrase the topic.
- Clearly state your opinion (agree or disagree to what extent).
BP1: The Role of Nutrition in Health and Longevity
- Explain how a balanced diet provides essential nutrients, supports immunity, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
- Give an example of a population or study demonstrating the link between diet and long life.
Boday Paragraph 2: The Role of Regular Exercise in Physical and Mental Well-being
- Discuss the benefits of physical activity: cardiovascular health, muscle and bone strength, weight management, and stress reduction.
- Include examples such as active communities, recommended exercise routines, or research on exercise and lifespan.
Boday Paragraph 3: Acknowledgement of Other Contributing Factors
- Mention other factors influencing longevity, such as genetics, medical care, or socio-economic conditions.
- Counterbalance by showing that diet and exercise are controllable and preventable measures that significantly impact health.
Conclusion
- Restate your stance clearly.
- Summarise the importance of combining a nutritious diet with regular physical activity to achieve long-term health.
- Optionally, emphasise that while other factors contribute, lifestyle choices remain the most effective and practical approach.
Sample Essay 2
In modern society, the pursuit of a long and healthy life has become a priority for many. While some argue that diet and exercise are not essential for longevity, I firmly believe that they are indispensable. Good nutrition and consistent physical activity form the foundation of both physical and mental health, which are crucial for sustaining life over the long term.
A balanced diet is critical because it supplies the body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients to function properly. Without adequate nutrition, the body becomes more vulnerable to illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. For example, research on populations in Okinawa, Japan, has shown that their longevity is closely linked to a diet rich in vegetables, fish, and low-calorie meals, demonstrating that proper nutrition plays a key role in extending life expectancy.
Similarly, regular exercise has numerous benefits that contribute to a long and healthy life. Physical activity improves cardiovascular efficiency, maintains muscle and bone strength, and enhances metabolic function. Additionally, exercise has psychological advantages: it reduces stress, improves mood, and can prevent cognitive decline in older adults. Communities with active lifestyles, such as those where walking or cycling is common, consistently report higher levels of health and life satisfaction.
Critics may argue that genetics and medical care are more important determinants of lifespan than diet or exercise. While it is true that these factors influence longevity, neglecting diet and physical activity often leads to preventable health conditions, such as hypertension or obesity, which can shorten life regardless of genetic predisposition. Therefore, lifestyle choices remain the most controllable and effective means of promoting long-term health.
In conclusion, a nutritious diet and regular exercise are essential for maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Although genetics and access to healthcare contribute to lifespan, adopting healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle provides a practical and proven strategy for living longer and healthier.
| List of Difficult Words Used in Sample 2 | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms |
| Indispensable | Absolutely necessary or essential | Essential, crucial, vital | Optional, unnecessary |
| Macronutrients | Nutrients required in large amounts such as protein, fat, and carbohydrates | Nutrient components, dietary essentials | Micronutrients (in small amounts) |
| Vulnerable | Susceptible to harm or disease | Exposed, at risk | Protected, resilient |
| Longevity | Long life or duration of life | Lifespan, endurance | Short life, brevity |
| Metabolic function | The chemical processes in the body that maintain life | Metabolism, body function | Dysfunction, metabolic failure |
| Cognitive decline | Deterioration in mental functions such as memory and thinking | Mental deterioration, intellectual decline | Mental improvement, cognitive growth |
| Preventable | Capable of being avoided | Avoidable, stoppable | Inevitable, unavoidable |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure | High blood pressure | Normal blood pressure |
| Life satisfaction | Overall sense of well-being and contentment with life | Happiness, well-being | Dissatisfaction, unhappiness |
| Predisposition | A natural tendency or susceptibility to a condition | Inclination, susceptibility | Immunity, resistance |
Conclusion
In conclusion, some people say a good diet and regular exercise are not necessary for a long and healthy life. To what extent do you agree or disagree? IELTS Writing Task 2. While factors such as genetics and medical care influence longevity, a balanced diet and consistent physical activity remain fundamental for maintaining physical fitness, preventing chronic diseases, and supporting mental well-being. Therefore, even though other elements contribute, adopting healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle is essential for achieving a long and healthy life.
FAQs
Ans. A balanced diet provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It strengthens immunity, maintains organ function, and prevents lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and heart problems.
Ans. Exercise strengthens the heart, muscles, and bones. It boosts metabolism, improves mental health, and reduces the risk of chronic illnesses, all of which help extend life expectancy.
Ans. No, while genetics can influence predisposition to certain health conditions, lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise play a critical role in determining overall health and quality of life.
Ans. Medical care can treat or manage illnesses. However, it cannot replace preventive benefits of healthy living. A combination of diet, exercise, and healthcare is most effective.
Ans. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity improve brain function. They regulate mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance energy levels, contributing to overall mental and emotional health.
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