The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various types of questions. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant traction in recent years: sustainable fashion.
Based on internet search trends and the increasing global emphasis on environmental issues, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a passage related to sustainable fashion in your IELTS Reading test. The topic “How To Create A Sustainable Fashion Wardrobe” combines elements of environmental awareness, consumer behavior, and fashion industry practices, making it an ideal subject for IELTS Reading comprehension.
Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic in your upcoming IELTS exam.
Practice Passage: Creating a Sustainable Fashion Wardrobe
Medium Text
Sustainability has become a buzzword in the fashion industry, but what does it really mean to create a sustainable fashion wardrobe? As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, many are seeking ways to make their wardrobes more eco-friendly without sacrificing style or breaking the bank.
The first step in creating a sustainable fashion wardrobe is to assess what you already own. Many people have closets full of clothes they rarely or never wear. By taking inventory of your existing wardrobe, you can identify gaps and avoid unnecessary purchases. This process also helps you rediscover forgotten items, potentially inspiring new outfit combinations.
Once you’ve taken stock of your current wardrobe, it’s time to adopt a quality-over-quantity mindset. Invest in well-made, versatile pieces that will last for years rather than cheap, trendy items that quickly end up in landfills. Look for clothing made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, or recycled fabrics. These materials have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives.
Another key aspect of sustainable fashion is supporting ethical brands. Research companies that prioritize fair labor practices, use eco-friendly production methods, and maintain transparency about their supply chains. While these brands may have higher price points, the quality and durability of their products often justify the cost in the long run.
Embracing secondhand fashion is an excellent way to reduce your wardrobe’s environmental footprint. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms for pre-owned clothing offer a wide range of options at affordable prices. By purchasing secondhand, you extend the life cycle of garments and reduce demand for new production.
Proper care and maintenance of your clothes can significantly extend their lifespan. Follow care instructions carefully, wash clothes less frequently (when possible), and learn basic mending skills to repair minor damages. Consider hosting clothing swaps with friends or using rental services for special occasion outfits to further minimize unnecessary purchases.
Finally, when it’s time to part with clothing items, do so responsibly. Donate wearable items to charity, sell them through secondhand platforms, or recycle textiles that are no longer usable. Many clothing retailers now offer recycling programs for old garments, ensuring that the materials are repurposed rather than ending up in landfills.
Creating a sustainable fashion wardrobe is an ongoing process that requires mindful consumption and a shift in shopping habits. By making conscious choices about what we buy, how we care for our clothes, and how we dispose of them, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our wardrobes while still expressing our personal style.
Questions
1-5: Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
- Assessing your current wardrobe is the initial step in creating a sustainable fashion wardrobe.
- Sustainable materials always cost more than conventional fabrics.
- Ethical fashion brands typically offer lower prices than fast fashion retailers.
- Purchasing secondhand clothing helps reduce the demand for new garment production.
- All clothing retailers now provide recycling programs for old garments.
6-10: Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the appropriate paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to questions 6-10.
i. The importance of wardrobe assessment
ii. Sustainable disposal methods
iii. The rise of fast fashion
iv. Investing in quality and sustainable materials
v. The benefits of clothing rental services
vi. Supporting ethical fashion brands
vii. Embracing secondhand fashion
viii. Proper garment care and maintenance
- Paragraph 2
- Paragraph 3
- Paragraph 4
- Paragraph 5
- Paragraph 6
11-13: Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- By taking inventory of your existing wardrobe, you can avoid _____ and rediscover forgotten items.
- Sustainable materials such as organic cotton and Tencel have a _____ compared to conventional alternatives.
- Hosting clothing swaps with friends can help _____ unnecessary purchases.
Answer Key and Explanations
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TRUE – The passage states, “The first step in creating a sustainable fashion wardrobe is to assess what you already own.”
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NOT GIVEN – The passage doesn’t compare the cost of sustainable materials to conventional fabrics directly.
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FALSE – The passage mentions that ethical brands “may have higher price points” compared to other options.
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TRUE – The passage states, “By purchasing secondhand, you extend the life cycle of garments and reduce demand for new production.”
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FALSE – The passage says “Many clothing retailers now offer recycling programs,” not all retailers.
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i – This paragraph discusses the importance of assessing your current wardrobe as the first step.
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iv – This paragraph talks about investing in quality pieces made from sustainable materials.
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vi – This paragraph focuses on supporting ethical brands and their practices.
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vii – This paragraph discusses the benefits of embracing secondhand fashion.
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viii – This paragraph is about proper care and maintenance of clothes to extend their lifespan.
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unnecessary purchases
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lower environmental impact
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minimize
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking key words: Pay attention to qualifiers like “many,” “some,” or “all” in both the passage and questions.
- Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text and avoid drawing conclusions based on personal knowledge.
- Misinterpreting “Not Given”: Remember, this option means the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted in the passage.
- Rushing through the passage: Take time to understand the main ideas and structure of the text before attempting the questions.
Vocabulary Focus
- Sustainability: the quality of being able to continue over a period of time
- Eco-friendly: not harmful to the environment
- Inventory: a detailed list of all the things in a place
- Versatile: able to be used for many different purposes
- Ethical: relating to beliefs about what is morally right and wrong
- Transparency: the characteristic of being easy to see through
- Consignment: the act of giving something to a shop to sell for you
- Mending: the act of repairing something that is broken or damaged
Grammar Spotlight
Passive Voice: The passage uses several passive voice constructions, which are common in academic and formal writing. For example:
- “Sustainability has become a buzzword in the fashion industry”
- “Many people have closets full of clothes they rarely or never wear”
This structure is used when the focus is on the action rather than the doer of the action. It’s important to be familiar with passive constructions for both reading comprehension and writing tasks in IELTS.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
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Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, identifying main ideas, and summarizing key points.
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Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words and phrases related to common IELTS topics like environment, technology, and social issues.
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Time management: Allocate your time wisely among the three passages, leaving enough time to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
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Skim and scan effectively: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.
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Read the instructions carefully: Make sure you understand what each question is asking before attempting to answer.
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Don’t leave any answers blank: If you’re unsure, make an educated guess based on the information in the passage.
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Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with different question types and passage structures by doing practice tests under timed conditions.
By following these tips and consistently practicing with various IELTS Reading passages, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any topic that comes your way on test day, including complex subjects like sustainable fashion.
Remember, creating a sustainable fashion wardrobe is not just a potential IELTS Reading topic—it’s a real-world skill that can help you make more environmentally conscious choices in your daily life. As you prepare for your IELTS exam, consider how you can apply these concepts to your own wardrobe and shopping habits.
For more practice on IELTS Reading and other test components, explore our other resources on IELTS.NET. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!