The topic of fast fashion’s negative impact on the environment has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This issue reflects growing global concerns about sustainability and consumerism, making it a highly relevant and frequently appearing subject in recent years. Based on trends observed in past exams and the current global focus on environmental issues, we can expect this topic to continue appearing in future IELTS tests. Let’s examine a sample question and explore how to approach it effectively for different band scores.
Sample IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
In recent years, the fast fashion industry has grown rapidly, providing consumers with affordable and trendy clothing. However, this industry has also been criticized for its negative impact on the environment. Do you think the disadvantages of fast fashion outweigh the advantages?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Question Analysis
This question requires you to evaluate the pros and cons of the fast fashion industry, focusing particularly on its environmental impact. Key points to consider:
- Definition of fast fashion
- Advantages: affordability, trendiness, accessibility
- Disadvantages: environmental impact (pollution, waste, resource depletion)
- Balancing economic benefits against environmental costs
- Personal stance on whether disadvantages outweigh advantages
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, along with analysis of each.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The fast fashion industry has revolutionized clothing consumption, offering consumers affordable access to the latest trends. However, this convenience comes at a significant environmental cost. In my opinion, the disadvantages of fast fashion considerably outweigh its advantages due to the severe and long-lasting environmental damage it causes.
Undeniably, fast fashion has made stylish clothing more accessible to a broader demographic. Consumers can now affordably update their wardrobes frequently, boosting self-expression and following fashion trends without breaking the bank. This democratization of fashion has economic benefits, supporting jobs in retail and manufacturing sectors. However, these short-term gains pale in comparison to the environmental repercussions.
The environmental impact of fast fashion is multi-faceted and severe. Firstly, the industry is a major contributor to water pollution, with textile dyeing being the second largest polluter of clean water globally. The use of toxic chemicals in fabric production not only contaminates water sources but also poses health risks to workers and nearby communities. Secondly, the fast fashion model encourages a throwaway culture, leading to enormous textile waste. In the UK alone, an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year, releasing harmful greenhouse gases as they decompose.
Moreover, the industry’s carbon footprint is substantial. The production and transportation of garments contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions, exacerbating climate change. The demand for quick turnaround in fast fashion also leads to exploitative labor practices in developing countries, adding a social dimension to its negative impact.
While the affordability and accessibility of fast fashion are appealing, they come at an unsustainable environmental cost. The industry’s contribution to pollution, waste, and climate change far outweighs its economic benefits. To address this, consumers need to shift towards more sustainable fashion choices, and the industry must adopt eco-friendly practices. Only by prioritizing environmental sustainability over fast and cheap production can we hope to mitigate the fashion industry’s detrimental impact on our planet.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a high band score:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position with well-developed arguments.
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Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphing is appropriate, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately. Complex ideas are conveyed precisely (e.g., “democratization of fashion”, “multi-faceted and severe”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used flexibly and accurately. Complex sentences are handled with ease, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Critical Thinking: The essay demonstrates in-depth analysis, balancing multiple perspectives before reaching a well-reasoned conclusion.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Fast fashion has become very popular in recent years, offering people cheap and trendy clothes. However, it has also been criticized for harming the environment. In my opinion, the disadvantages of fast fashion are bigger than its advantages.
On the positive side, fast fashion makes it easy for people to buy fashionable clothes without spending too much money. This is good for people who want to look stylish but can’t afford expensive brands. It also creates jobs in clothing stores and factories. These are important benefits for many people and economies.
However, the environmental problems caused by fast fashion are very serious. One big issue is water pollution. The chemicals used to make and dye clothes can pollute rivers and harm wildlife. Another problem is waste. Because fast fashion clothes are cheap, people often throw them away quickly, creating a lot of garbage. This waste often ends up in landfills where it takes a long time to break down.
Fast fashion also contributes to climate change. Making and transporting clothes uses a lot of energy and produces greenhouse gases. Additionally, the industry often has poor working conditions in factories, which is a social problem linked to environmental issues.
While fast fashion has some advantages, I believe its negative impact on the environment is more important. The pollution, waste, and contribution to climate change are long-lasting problems that affect everyone. To solve this, we need to change how we buy clothes and support more environmentally friendly fashion options.
(Word count: 253)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates the qualities of a mid-range band score:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position, though the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, but some paragraphs could be more tightly focused. Basic cohesive devices are used appropriately.
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Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, with some attempt at using less common words. However, the language is sometimes repetitive or imprecise.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with generally good control. There are no major errors that impede communication.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows some analysis and attempts to balance different viewpoints, though the arguments could be more nuanced and detailed.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Fast fashion (noun) – inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends
/fɑːst ˈfæʃən/ -
Environmental impact (noun phrase) – the effect of human activities on the natural world
/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/ -
Sustainability (noun) – the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time
/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ -
Textile waste (noun phrase) – discarded fabric or clothing materials
/ˈtekstaɪl weɪst/ -
Carbon footprint (noun phrase) – the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of human activities
/ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ -
Throwaway culture (noun phrase) – a society characterized by consumerism and the disposal of goods
/ˈθrəʊəweɪ ˈkʌltʃər/ -
Eco-friendly (adjective) – not harmful to the environment
/ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ -
Landfill (noun) – a site for the disposal of waste materials
/ˈlændfɪl/ -
Greenhouse gases (noun phrase) – gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation
/ˈɡriːnhaʊs ˈɡæsɪz/ -
Exploitative (adjective) – using or taking advantage of someone or something unfairly
/ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/
Conclusion
The topic of fast fashion’s environmental impact 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
- Government regulations to control the environmental impact of the fashion industry
- The balance between economic growth and environmental protection in developing countries
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about knowledge, but also about how you structure your ideas and use language effectively. Practice writing essays on this topic and share them in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in the IELTS exam.