In recent years, the topic of ethical consumerism in the digital age has gained significant traction in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This trend reflects the growing importance of responsible consumption and the role of technology in shaping consumer behavior. Based on an analysis of past IELTS exams and current global issues, we can expect this theme to appear frequently in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant essay question and provide sample answers for different band scores.
Analyzing the Essay Question
Some people believe that digital platforms and social media have a responsibility to promote ethical consumerism. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question asks for your opinion on the role of digital platforms and social media in promoting ethical consumerism. It’s crucial to:
- Clearly state your position
- Provide well-developed reasons and examples
- Consider counterarguments
- Use appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures
Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality, targeting different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Digital platforms and social media have become integral parts of our daily lives, influencing our decisions and shaping our consumption patterns. I strongly agree that these entities have a significant responsibility to promote ethical consumerism, given their immense reach and impact on consumer behavior.
Firstly, digital platforms and social media companies possess unparalleled access to user data and behavior patterns. This privileged position allows them to tailor content and advertisements to individual users effectively. By leveraging this capability to promote ethically sourced products and sustainable brands, these platforms can significantly influence consumer choices towards more responsible options. For instance, Instagram’s shopping feature could prioritize eco-friendly products, while Amazon could highlight fair trade items in search results.
Moreover, these platforms serve as powerful information dissemination tools. They can educate consumers about the environmental and social impacts of their purchasing decisions. By featuring content that raises awareness about issues such as child labor, environmental degradation, and unfair trade practices, social media can foster a more informed and conscientious consumer base. YouTube, for example, could promote channels dedicated to sustainable living and ethical consumption, thereby encouraging viewers to make more responsible choices.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the primary goal of most digital platforms is profit generation, which may conflict with promoting ethical consumerism. Nevertheless, the increasing consumer demand for transparency and corporate responsibility presents an opportunity for these platforms to align ethical promotion with their business interests. Companies like Patagonia have demonstrated that prioritizing sustainability can be both profitable and brand-enhancing.
In conclusion, while the ultimate responsibility for ethical consumption lies with individual consumers, digital platforms and social media have a crucial role to play in facilitating and encouraging this behavior. Their unique position in the modern marketplace endows them with both the capability and the responsibility to promote more ethical consumer choices, potentially leading to significant positive impacts on global social and environmental issues.
(Word count: 309)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent coherence, cohesion, and lexical resource, key factors in achieving a high band score. Let’s break down its strengths:
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Clear position: The writer strongly agrees with the statement, establishing a clear stance from the outset.
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Well-developed arguments: Each paragraph presents a distinct point, supported by relevant examples (Instagram, Amazon, YouTube).
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Balanced view: The essay acknowledges potential counterarguments, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the issue.
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Sophisticated vocabulary: The use of phrases like “unparalleled access,” “privileged position,” and “information dissemination tools” showcases a wide lexical range.
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Varied sentence structures: The essay employs a mix of complex and compound sentences, enhancing readability and demonstrating grammatical range.
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Coherent structure: Clear topic sentences and logical progression of ideas contribute to overall coherence.
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Effective conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main points and provides a final thought on the broader implications of the issue.
Ethical Consumerism in the Digital Age
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s digital world, many people think that online platforms and social media should help promote ethical buying. I mostly agree with this idea because these platforms have a lot of influence on what people buy.
One reason why digital platforms should promote ethical consumerism is that they reach many people. Millions of people use social media every day, so if these platforms show more ethical products, more people will know about them. For example, if Facebook advertises fair trade coffee more, users might choose to buy it instead of regular coffee.
Another point is that social media can educate people about ethical buying. They can share videos and articles about why it’s important to buy products that don’t harm the environment or exploit workers. This information can help people make better choices when they shop.
However, we should remember that social media companies are businesses that want to make money. They might not always want to promote ethical products if it doesn’t benefit them financially. Also, some people might not like being told what to buy and could ignore these messages.
In conclusion, I believe digital platforms and social media have some responsibility to promote ethical consumerism because of their big influence. But it’s also up to individuals to make their own choices about what they buy.
(Word count: 218)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates a good understanding of the topic but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay. Here’s why it falls in the Band 6-7 range:
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Clear position: The writer agrees with the statement, though less strongly than in the Band 8-9 essay.
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Adequate arguments: The essay presents relevant points but with less depth and fewer specific examples compared to the higher band essay.
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Some consideration of counterarguments: The essay briefly mentions potential drawbacks, showing some awareness of different perspectives.
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Simpler vocabulary: While appropriate, the vocabulary is less varied and sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay (e.g., “big influence” instead of “significant impact”).
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Less complex sentence structures: Sentences are generally clear but less varied in structure compared to the higher band essay.
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Basic coherence: The essay has a clear structure, but transitions between ideas could be smoother.
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Conclusion: The conclusion restates the main idea but doesn’t add much new insight.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people use social media and digital platforms. Some think these platforms should promote ethical consumerism. I agree with this idea.
Firstly, social media is very popular. Many people use it every day. If social media shows ethical products, people will see them. This can make people buy better things.
Secondly, digital platforms can teach people about ethical buying. They can show videos about good products. People can learn why some products are better than others.
But, some people might not like this. They might think social media should not tell them what to buy. Also, companies might not want to do this if they don’t make money from it.
In conclusion, I think digital platforms should promote ethical consumerism because they can reach many people. But it’s not easy to do.
(Word count: 126)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic but lacks the depth and sophistication required for higher band scores. Here’s why it falls in the Band 5-6 range:
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Position stated: The writer agrees with the statement, but the stance is not strongly developed.
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Simple arguments: The essay presents relevant points but lacks detailed explanations or specific examples.
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Limited counterarguments: The essay briefly mentions potential objections but doesn’t explore them in depth.
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Basic vocabulary: The vocabulary is simple and repetitive, with limited use of topic-specific terms.
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Simple sentence structures: Most sentences are short and have a similar structure, showing limited grammatical range.
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Basic coherence: The essay has a clear structure but lacks sophisticated linking words and phrases.
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Brief conclusion: The conclusion restates the main idea but doesn’t offer any new insights.
Key Vocabulary for Ethical Consumerism Essays
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Ethical consumerism (noun) – /ˈeθɪkəl kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/ – The practice of purchasing products and services that are produced in a way that minimizes social and/or environmental damage.
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Sustainability (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ – The quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.
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Corporate responsibility (noun) – /ˈkɔːpərət rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – A company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment in which it operates.
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Fair trade (noun) – /feə treɪd/ – A trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.
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Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˌiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment.
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Conscientious (adjective) – /ˌkɒnʃiˈenʃəs/ – Wishing to do what is right, especially to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly.
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Transparency (noun) – /trænsˈpærənsi/ – The quality of being open and honest in business or politics.
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Sustainable development (noun) – /səˌsteɪnəbl dɪˈveləpmənt/ – Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.
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Carbon footprint (noun) – /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ – The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.
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Greenwashing (noun) – /ˈɡriːnwɒʃɪŋ/ – The practice of making an unsubstantiated or misleading claim about the environmental benefits of a product, service, technology or company practice.
Conclusion
The topic of ethical consumerism in the digital age is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of social media influencers in promoting sustainable products
- The impact of online shopping on ethical consumption
- The responsibility of e-commerce platforms in ensuring fair trade practices
- The effectiveness of digital campaigns in raising awareness about ethical consumerism
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having good ideas, but also about presenting them clearly, coherently, and with appropriate language. Practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.
