The topic of fast fashion companies’ accountability for pollution has been gaining traction in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on trends observed in past tests and discussions on reputable IELTS preparation websites, this subject is likely to appear more frequently in future exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in recent IELTS tests:
Some people think that fashion companies should be held legally responsible for the damage they do to the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question addresses the environmental impact of the fashion industry and asks for your opinion on whether fashion companies should be legally accountable for environmental damage. To answer effectively, you should:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your stance
- Consider potential counterarguments
- Conclude by summarizing your main points and restating your opinion
Now, let’s examine sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Fashion industry’s environmental responsibility has become a pressing issue in recent years. While some argue for legal accountability, I firmly believe that fashion companies should indeed be held legally responsible for the environmental damage they cause, albeit with some considerations.
Firstly, the fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, is a significant contributor to environmental degradation. These companies often prioritize profit over sustainability, resulting in excessive waste, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. By holding them legally accountable, we create a powerful incentive for these corporations to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. For instance, if a company faces substantial fines or legal consequences for polluting water sources, they are more likely to invest in cleaner production methods and proper waste management.
Moreover, legal responsibility would level the playing field for sustainable fashion brands. Currently, eco-friendly practices often come with higher production costs, making it challenging for these brands to compete with fast fashion giants. By enforcing environmental regulations across the board, we encourage innovation in sustainable materials and processes, ultimately benefiting both the environment and consumers.
However, it’s crucial to implement such legal measures thoughtfully. Smaller fashion businesses may struggle to meet stringent environmental standards immediately. Therefore, a phased approach with support for transitioning to sustainable practices could be more effective. Additionally, legal accountability should be part of a broader strategy that includes consumer education and incentives for sustainable consumption.
In conclusion, while there are challenges to consider, I strongly agree that fashion companies should be held legally responsible for their environmental impact. This approach would drive significant positive change in the industry, promoting sustainability and innovation while protecting our planet for future generations.
(Word count: 276)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and a comprehensive understanding of the topic, warranting a high band score of 8-9. Here’s why:
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Task Response: The essay clearly addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed argument with relevant examples and a nuanced perspective.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas flow logically, with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices (“Firstly,” “Moreover,” “However,” etc.).
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise (“environmental degradation,” “prioritize profit over sustainability,” “level the playing field”), demonstrating a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately (“While some argue for,” “By holding them legally accountable,” etc.), with minimal errors.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-elaborated with explanations and examples, showing depth of thought and analysis.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, many people have become concerned about the damage that fashion companies do to the environment. Some think these companies should be legally responsible for this damage. I agree with this idea to some extent, but I also think there are some problems with it.
On the one hand, making fashion companies legally responsible could help reduce pollution. If companies know they will be punished for damaging the environment, they might be more careful. For example, they might use less harmful chemicals in their factories or find better ways to dispose of waste. This could lead to cleaner rivers and less air pollution in areas where clothes are made.
However, there are some difficulties with this approach. First, it might be hard to prove which company is responsible for specific environmental damage. Also, if the laws are too strict, some fashion companies might move their factories to countries with fewer rules, which could cause other problems.
Another point to consider is that consumers also have a role to play. If people keep buying lots of cheap clothes and throwing them away quickly, it encourages companies to make more and more. Maybe we need to focus on changing consumer behavior as well as company practices.
In conclusion, I think fashion companies should be held responsible for environmental damage to some extent, but it’s not a simple solution. We need a balanced approach that includes company responsibility, better laws, and consumer education to really solve the problem of fashion pollution.
(Word count: 263)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but lacks some of the sophistication and depth of the Band 8-9 essay, placing it in the Band 6-7 range. Here’s why:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task and presents a clear position, but the arguments could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear paragraphing, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the higher band essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate and accurate, but lacks the range and precision of higher band scores. There are some good phrases (“legally responsible,” “dispose of waste”) but also some more basic expressions.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good accuracy, but doesn’t demonstrate the same level of complexity as the Band 8-9 essay.
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Development of Ideas: The main points are relevant and supported with some examples, but the ideas could be explored in more depth.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Environmental degradation (noun) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃn/ – The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources and destruction of ecosystems.
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Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time without harming the environment.
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Incentive (noun) – /ɪnˈsentɪv/ – Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
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Stringent (adjective) – /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ – Strict, precise, and exacting.
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Innovation (noun) – /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ – The action or process of innovating; introducing new ideas, methods, or products.
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Accountability (noun) – /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.
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Phased approach (noun phrase) – /feɪzd əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A method of implementing changes or new systems gradually, in stages.
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Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment.
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Consumer behavior (noun phrase) – /kənˈsjuːmə bɪˈheɪvjə/ – The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs.
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Fast fashion (noun phrase) – /fɑːst ˈfæʃn/ – Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.
Conclusion
The topic of fast fashion companies’ accountability for environmental damage is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of consumers in reducing fashion waste
- Government regulations on the fashion industry
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection in the clothing sector
- The impact of sustainable fashion on developing economies
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. As a practice exercise, try writing your own essay on the question discussed in this article and share it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.
To further explore this topic and enhance your understanding of environmental sustainability in the fashion industry, you may want to read about how to promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. Additionally, for more insights on reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion, check out our article on how to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion. These resources will provide you with valuable information to support your arguments in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays on this topic.
