Grammar Practice: The Rise of Plant-Based Food

Plant-based eating is more than a trend — it’s a global shift in how we think about food. Use this article to practise relative clauses, modal verbs, word form selection, and article usage in context.

4. The Rise of Plant-Based Food

In recent years, plant-based diets have become more popular around the world. Many people are choosing to eat less meat for health, environmental, or ethical reasons. Supermarkets and restaurants now offer a wide variety of plant-based products, (1)____________ plant-based burgers, milk alternatives, and even vegan desserts.

One reason for this change is increased awareness of climate change. Studies show that producing meat uses more land and water and creates more pollution. As a result, some people are switching to plant-based meals to (2)____________ their carbon footprint.

Health is another major factor. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains are linked to lower risks of heart disease and obesity. Some doctors even recommend reducing meat consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, experts also (3)____________ that not all plant-based foods are healthy—some are highly processed and contain too much sugar or salt.

Cultural attitudes are also changing. In the past, being vegetarian or vegan was seen as unusual, but now it's (4)____________ accepted in many countries. Social media influencers and celebrities have helped promote the lifestyle, making it more appealing to young people.

As demand continues to grow, food companies are working hard to create tasty, affordable options for plant-based eaters. The future of food may look very different, with more people (5)____________ meat-free meals as the new normal.

Check answers at the bottom of the page.

Grammar Points & Explanations

1. Participial Phrase: “including…”

• Why it matters: It’s a common way to add examples at the end of a sentence. Helps learners avoid using multiple “and”s or new sentences.

2. Infinitive of Purpose: “to reduce”

• Why it matters: Shows why someone does something. Important for writing essays and expressing opinions clearly.

3. Reporting Verbs: “warn”

• Why it matters: Verbs like warn, suggest, advise are used when talking about expert opinions or giving advice. Good for IELTS-style writing and speaking.

4. Adverbs of Degree: “widely”

• Why it matters: Adverbs help describe how much or how often something happens. In this case, “widely” means “by many people.”

5. Present Participle Phrase: “more people choosing…”

• Why it matters: Shortened structure of “who are choosing.” Makes writing more fluent and natural. Useful for advanced grammar.

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Correct Answers:

1. (D) including

"...plant-based products, including burgers, milk alternatives..."

2. (B) reduce

"...to reduce their carbon footprint."

3. (C) warn

"…experts also warn that not all plant-based foods are healthy."

4. (B) widely

"…now it’s widely accepted in many countries."

5. (A) choosing

"…more people choosing meat-free meals as the new normal."