The fashion industry has been a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, with ethical and sustainable practices gaining increasing attention. This essay topic has appeared in past exams and is likely to remain relevant in future tests due to growing environmental concerns. Let’s examine a sample question and provide model essays to help you prepare for this challenging subject.
Some people think that the fashion industry has a negative impact on people’s lives and on the environment, so governments should increase tax on clothing companies. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question addresses the negative impacts of the fashion industry and suggests a potential solution through increased taxation. To answer effectively, you should:
- Decide your stance on the issue
- Discuss the negative impacts of the fashion industry on people and the environment
- Evaluate whether increased taxation is an appropriate solution
- Provide your own perspective and alternative solutions if you disagree
Model Essay for Band 8-9
Here’s a sample essay targeting a high band score:
In recent years, the fashion industry has faced criticism for its detrimental effects on both society and the environment. While I agree that the industry has significant negative impacts, I disagree that increasing taxes on clothing companies is the most effective solution to address these issues.
The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, undeniably contributes to various societal and environmental problems. From a social perspective, it often exploits workers in developing countries, subjecting them to poor working conditions and inadequate wages. Environmentally, the industry is responsible for substantial pollution, water consumption, and waste generation. Fast fashion’s emphasis on disposable clothing exacerbates these issues by encouraging overconsumption and creating a culture of waste.
However, simply increasing taxes on clothing companies may not be the most effective approach to mitigate these problems. Firstly, higher taxes could lead to increased prices for consumers, potentially making ethical and sustainable fashion less accessible to lower-income groups. Secondly, without proper regulations on how the additional tax revenue is used, there is no guarantee that it would be invested in addressing the industry’s negative impacts.
Instead, I believe a more comprehensive approach is necessary. Governments should focus on implementing and enforcing stricter regulations on labor practices and environmental standards within the fashion industry. This could include mandating transparency in supply chains, setting minimum wage requirements, and imposing limits on pollution and resource consumption. Additionally, incentivizing sustainable practices through tax breaks or grants for companies that meet certain ethical and environmental criteria could be more effective than blanket taxation.
Education also plays a crucial role in promoting ethical fashion. Governments and NGOs should invest in campaigns to raise awareness about the impacts of fast fashion and encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices. This could include promoting second-hand shopping, clothing repair, and supporting local, ethical brands.
In conclusion, while the fashion industry does have significant negative impacts on society and the environment, increasing taxes alone is not a sufficient solution. A multifaceted approach combining regulation, incentives, and education is more likely to effect meaningful change in the industry and promote more ethical and sustainable practices.
(Word count: 329)
Promoting ethical fashion practices
Model Essay for Band 6-7
Here’s a sample essay targeting a mid-range band score:
The fashion industry has been criticized for its negative effects on people and the environment. While I agree that there are problems, I partly disagree with the idea of increasing taxes on clothing companies as the main solution.
It’s true that the fashion industry, especially fast fashion, causes many issues. Workers in poor countries often face bad working conditions and low pay. The industry also pollutes a lot and uses up water and other resources. Fast fashion makes people buy too many clothes and throw them away quickly, which is bad for the environment.
However, I don’t think just raising taxes on clothing companies is the best way to fix these problems. If taxes go up, clothes might become more expensive, which could make it harder for people with less money to buy clothes. Also, we don’t know if the extra money from taxes would actually be used to help solve the industry’s problems.
I think there are better ways to deal with these issues. The government could make stricter rules about how workers should be treated and how much pollution companies can make. They could also give rewards to companies that follow good practices, like using eco-friendly materials or paying workers fairly. This might work better than just making everyone pay more taxes.
It’s also important to teach people about the problems with fast fashion. If people understand the issues, they might choose to buy clothes from better companies or buy second-hand clothes instead. The government could run campaigns to help people learn about this.
In conclusion, while the fashion industry does cause problems for people and the environment, I don’t think just increasing taxes is the best solution. A mix of better rules, rewards for good behavior, and education for consumers would probably work better to make the fashion industry more ethical and sustainable.
(Word count: 295)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
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Structure: Ensure your essay has a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Use topic sentences to introduce each main idea.
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Vocabulary: For higher band scores, use a range of vocabulary related to fashion and environmental issues. For example:
- Band 8-9: exploitation, exacerbate, mitigate, comprehensive approach
- Band 6-7: bad working conditions, pollutes, eco-friendly materials
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Grammar: Use a variety of sentence structures and tenses. Higher band scores should demonstrate more complex structures:
- Band 8-9: “Without proper regulations on how the additional tax revenue is used, there is no guarantee that it would be invested in addressing the industry’s negative impacts.”
- Band 6-7: “If taxes go up, clothes might become more expensive, which could make it harder for people with less money to buy clothes.”
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Coherence and Cohesion: Use linking words and phrases to connect ideas smoothly. Ensure each paragraph flows logically to the next.
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Task Response: Address all parts of the question and provide a clear position throughout the essay.
Essential Vocabulary
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Ethical fashion (noun) /ˈeθɪkəl ˈfæʃən/: Clothing produced with consideration for workers’ rights and environmental impact.
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Sustainable (adjective) /səˈsteɪnəbəl/: Able to be maintained without depleting natural resources.
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Fast fashion (noun) /fɑːst ˈfæʃən/: Inexpensive clothing produced and consumed quickly.
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Exploitation (noun) /ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/: The action of treating someone unfairly for one’s own benefit.
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Overconsumption (noun) /ˌəʊvəkənˈsʌmpʃən/: The action of consuming more than necessary.
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Transparency (noun) /trænsˈpærənsi/: Openness and accountability in business practices.
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Incentivize (verb) /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/: To encourage or motivate with rewards.
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Multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/: Having many different aspects or features.
Conclusion
The topic of ethical fashion in a fast-fashion industry is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of consumers in promoting sustainable fashion
- The impact of social media on fashion consumption habits
- Government regulations to reduce textile waste
- The future of the fashion industry in light of environmental concerns
Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your response, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further improvement.