The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to understand and analyze complex texts. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant traction in recent years: sustainable fashion. The concept of “How To Create A Sustainable Wardrobe” has become increasingly popular, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental issues in the fashion industry. Based on this trend, it’s highly likely that you may encounter similar themes in future IELTS exams. Let’s dive into a practice exercise to sharpen your reading skills while exploring this relevant topic.
Sustainable Wardrobe Concept
Reading Passage
The Rise of Sustainable Fashion: Creating an Eco-Friendly Wardrobe
In recent years, the fashion industry has faced increasing scrutiny for its environmental impact. From water pollution to textile waste, the problems are manifold. However, a new movement is gaining momentum: sustainable fashion. This approach seeks to minimize the negative effects of clothing production and consumption on the environment while promoting ethical practices. But how can individuals contribute to this shift? The answer lies in creating a sustainable wardrobe.
The first step towards a sustainable wardrobe is to adopt a “quality over quantity” mindset. Fast fashion, characterized by cheap, trendy clothes that quickly go out of style, has dominated the market for decades. However, this model is unsustainable both environmentally and economically. Instead, consumers should invest in high-quality, durable pieces that will last for years. These items may have a higher upfront cost, but they offer better value in the long run and reduce overall consumption.
Another crucial aspect of building a sustainable wardrobe is choosing eco-friendly materials. Traditional fabrics like cotton are often resource-intensive to produce and may involve the use of harmful pesticides. Alternatives such as organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel (made from wood pulp) offer more sustainable options. Additionally, recycled materials are gaining popularity, with some brands creating clothing from plastic bottles or discarded fishing nets.
Embracing secondhand fashion is another effective way to make your wardrobe more sustainable. Thrift stores, vintage shops, and online platforms for pre-owned clothing provide an opportunity to find unique pieces while reducing demand for new production. This approach not only saves resources but also gives clothes a second life, keeping them out of landfills.
Proper care and maintenance of clothing can significantly extend its lifespan, contributing to a more sustainable wardrobe. This includes following care instructions, repairing items when possible, and storing clothes properly. Some brands are even offering repair services or providing customers with repair kits, encouraging a “make do and mend” mentality.
Lastly, when it’s time to part with clothing, responsible disposal is key. Donating wearable items to charity or selling them on second-hand platforms ensures they continue to be used. For items that are no longer wearable, textile recycling programs can often repurpose the materials.
Creating a sustainable wardrobe is not about achieving perfection overnight. It’s a gradual process that involves making more conscious choices about what we buy, how we use it, and how we dispose of it. By taking these steps, individuals can contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry and reduce their environmental footprint.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Determine whether the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Fast fashion is more economically sustainable than investing in high-quality clothing.
- Organic cotton is considered a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional cotton.
- All major fashion brands now offer repair services for their products.
- Buying secondhand clothes can help reduce the demand for new clothing production.
- Textile recycling programs can only handle natural fibers.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct answer, A, B, C, or D.
-
According to the passage, what is the first step towards creating a sustainable wardrobe?
A) Buying only secondhand clothes
B) Choosing eco-friendly materials
C) Adopting a “quality over quantity” mindset
D) Learning how to repair clothes -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an eco-friendly fabric alternative?
A) Hemp
B) Tencel
C) Polyester
D) Organic cotton
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Choose the correct heading from the list A-F for each paragraph.
A) The importance of proper clothing care
B) Eco-friendly fabric choices
C) The rise of sustainable fashion
D) Responsible clothing disposal
E) The benefits of secondhand shopping
F) Prioritizing quality in clothing purchases
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 3
- Paragraph 4
Short Answer Questions
Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- What type of clothing is characterized as cheap and trendy but quickly goes out of style?
- What material is Tencel made from?
- What mentality is encouraged by brands offering repair services or repair kits?
Answer Key and Explanations
-
False
Explanation: The passage states that fast fashion is “unsustainable both environmentally and economically,” contradicting this statement. -
True
Explanation: The text mentions organic cotton as an alternative to traditional cotton, describing it as a “more sustainable option.” -
Not Given
Explanation: While the passage mentions that “Some brands are even offering repair services,” it doesn’t state that all major brands do this. -
True
Explanation: The passage explicitly states that embracing secondhand fashion “reduces demand for new production.” -
Not Given
Explanation: The passage doesn’t provide information about the types of fibers that textile recycling programs can handle. -
C
Explanation: The passage states, “The first step towards a sustainable wardrobe is to adopt a ‘quality over quantity’ mindset.” -
C
Explanation: Polyester is not mentioned in the list of eco-friendly fabric alternatives, which includes hemp, Tencel, and organic cotton. -
F
Explanation: This paragraph discusses the importance of investing in high-quality, durable pieces instead of cheap, fast fashion items. -
B
Explanation: This paragraph focuses on choosing eco-friendly materials as alternatives to traditional fabrics. -
E
Explanation: This paragraph discusses the benefits of buying secondhand clothing from thrift stores, vintage shops, and online platforms. -
Fast fashion
Explanation: The passage describes fast fashion as “cheap, trendy clothes that quickly go out of style.” -
Wood pulp
Explanation: The text states that Tencel is “made from wood pulp.” -
Make do and mend
Explanation: The passage mentions that offering repair services encourages a “‘make do and mend’ mentality.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “some,” “all,” or “most.” These can change the meaning of a statement significantly.
-
Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text. Don’t use your prior knowledge to answer questions, especially for True/False/Not Given questions.
-
Misinterpreting paraphrased information: The questions often paraphrase information from the text. Make sure you understand the core meaning, not just the exact words.
-
Rushing through the passage: Take time to understand the overall structure and main ideas of the text before attempting to answer questions.
-
Ignoring context: Consider the surrounding sentences when answering questions about specific details.
Vocabulary
-
Scrutiny (noun) /ˈskruːtəni/: careful and thorough examination
Example: The company’s financial records came under intense scrutiny during the audit. -
Manifold (adjective) /ˈmænɪfəʊld/: many and various
Example: The benefits of exercise are manifold, including improved health and mood. -
Momentum (noun) /məˈmentəm/: the impetus gained by a moving object
Example: The campaign gained momentum as more people joined the cause. -
Upfront (adjective) /ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/: paid or obtained in advance
Example: The project required a significant upfront investment. -
Lifespan (noun) /ˈlaɪfspæn/: the length of time for which something exists or functions
Example: Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your car.
Grammar Focus
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense is used several times in the passage to describe actions or situations that started in the past and continue to the present or have present relevance.
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
Examples from the text:
- “The fashion industry has faced increasing scrutiny…”
- “Fast fashion… has dominated the market for decades.”
Practice: Create two sentences using the present perfect tense to describe recent changes in your approach to fashion or shopping habits.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
-
Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions. Don’t spend too long on any single question.
-
Skim and scan: Practice quickly skimming the text for main ideas and scanning for specific information.
-
Vocabulary building: Regularly read articles on various topics to expand your vocabulary and familiarity with different writing styles.
-
Practice active reading: Engage with the text by underlining key points and making brief notes.
-
Familiarize yourself with question types: Understand the different types of questions you might encounter and practice strategies for each.
-
Use contextual clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the context.
-
Stay calm and focused: Remember that the IELTS Reading test is designed to be challenging. Stay composed and do your best with each question.
By following these tips and regularly practicing with diverse texts, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section. Remember, creating a sustainable wardrobe is just one of many topics you might encounter, so stay curious and keep reading widely!
For more practice on sustainable lifestyle topics, check out our article on how to create a sustainable lifestyle. If you’re interested in the intersection of fashion and technology, you might find our piece on how technology is influencing the fashion industry enlightening.
