Fast fashion and its impact on society and the environment have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. Based on recent trends and the growing global awareness of sustainability issues, it’s highly likely that questions related to government regulation of the fast fashion industry will continue to appear in future IELTS tests. To help you prepare, we’ve selected a relevant question that closely resembles those seen in actual IELTS exams:
Some people think that governments should regulate the fast fashion industry to reduce its negative environmental impact. Others believe that consumers should be responsible for making sustainable choices. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents two contrasting viewpoints on addressing the environmental issues caused by the fast fashion industry:
- Government regulation
- Consumer responsibility
To effectively answer this question, you need to:
- Discuss both perspectives
- Provide your own opinion
- Support your arguments with relevant examples and explanations
Now, let’s look at three sample essays of varying quality, representing different IELTS band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The fast fashion industry has come under scrutiny for its detrimental effects on the environment. While some argue that governments should intervene through regulations, others believe that consumers should bear the responsibility for making sustainable choices. In my opinion, a combination of both approaches is necessary to effectively address this issue.
Those who advocate for government regulation argue that legislative measures can have a more immediate and widespread impact. By imposing stricter environmental standards on production processes, limiting harmful chemical use, and enforcing proper waste management, governments can compel fashion companies to adopt more sustainable practices. For instance, France has recently introduced a law banning the destruction of unsold clothing, forcing retailers to donate or recycle excess inventory. Such measures can significantly reduce the industry’s environmental footprint and set a precedent for other countries to follow.
On the other hand, proponents of consumer responsibility emphasize the power of individual choices in driving market trends. They argue that if consumers prioritize sustainable and ethically produced clothing, companies will be forced to adapt their practices to meet this demand. This approach relies on educating consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases and encouraging them to make more conscious decisions. For example, the rise of secondhand clothing platforms and the growing popularity of “slow fashion” brands demonstrate that consumer preferences can indeed influence industry practices.
In my view, a comprehensive solution requires action from both governments and consumers. While regulations can establish a baseline for sustainable practices, consumer choices can drive innovation and push companies to go beyond minimum requirements. Governments should implement policies that incentivize sustainable production and penalize environmentally harmful practices. Simultaneously, they should invest in public education campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion and empower consumers to make informed choices.
In conclusion, addressing the environmental challenges posed by the fast fashion industry necessitates a multi-faceted approach. By combining government regulations with consumer education and empowerment, we can create a more sustainable fashion ecosystem that balances economic interests with environmental preservation.
(Word count: 329)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent writing skills and meets all the requirements for a high band score:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. It offers a well-developed response with relevant, extended examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and the essay uses a range of cohesive devices effectively.
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Lexical Resource: The essay showcases a wide range of vocabulary used with full flexibility and precision. Some sophisticated phrases include “come under scrutiny,” “detrimental effects,” and “comprehensive solution.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively, and there are no noticeable errors.
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Development and Support: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations, such as France’s law on unsold clothing and the rise of secondhand clothing platforms.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The fast fashion industry has been criticized for its negative impact on the environment. Some people think governments should regulate this industry, while others believe consumers should be responsible for making sustainable choices. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support government regulation argue that it can force companies to change their practices. Governments can make laws about production processes, waste management, and the use of harmful chemicals. This could help reduce pollution and waste from the fashion industry. For example, some countries have banned certain types of plastic packaging, which has made companies find more eco-friendly alternatives.
On the other hand, people who believe in consumer responsibility say that our choices can change the market. If more people buy sustainable clothing and avoid fast fashion, companies will have to change to meet this demand. Consumers can also choose to buy less clothing overall and take better care of their clothes to make them last longer. This approach relies on educating people about the environmental impact of their choices.
In my opinion, both government regulation and consumer responsibility are important. Governments can set rules that all companies must follow, which can have a big impact. However, consumers also play a crucial role in creating demand for sustainable fashion. I think a combination of both approaches would be most effective in addressing the environmental problems caused by fast fashion.
To conclude, while government regulation can enforce sustainable practices, consumer choices can drive market trends towards more environmentally friendly fashion. A balance of both approaches is necessary to create real change in the industry.
(Word count: 276)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some areas for improvement:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task and presents a clear position. However, the ideas could be more fully developed with more specific examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes repetitive (e.g., frequent use of “however” and “on the other hand”).
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Lexical Resource: There is a good range of vocabulary, but some expressions are repeated. The essay could benefit from more sophisticated vocabulary choices.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are no major grammatical errors, but more complex structures could be used.
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Development and Support: While the main points are supported with some examples, they could be more detailed and specific to fully illustrate the arguments.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Fast fashion is a big problem for the environment. Some people think the government should make rules to stop it. Other people think it’s the job of consumers to buy better clothes. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
The government can make laws to control fast fashion companies. They can say what materials are allowed and how much waste is okay. This might help stop pollution from factories. Also, the government can make companies recycle more clothes. This could be good for the environment.
But some people think consumers should decide. If people stop buying fast fashion, companies will have to change. Consumers can choose to buy less clothes or buy from eco-friendly brands. They can also learn about how their clothes affect the environment. This might make them shop differently.
I think both ideas are important. The government can make big changes with laws. But consumers also need to make good choices. If both the government and consumers work together, we can help the environment more.
In conclusion, fast fashion is bad for the environment. We need both government rules and smart consumers to fix this problem. Everyone needs to work together to make fashion better for the planet.
(Word count: 201)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates a basic understanding of the task but has several areas for improvement:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the main points of the task, but the ideas are underdeveloped and lack specific examples.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but the paragraphs are short and lack detailed development. Cohesive devices are limited and sometimes repetitive.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is simple and repetitive. There’s a lack of more sophisticated words and phrases related to the topic.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay mainly uses simple sentence structures with limited complexity. There are some grammatical errors, but they don’t significantly impede communication.
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Development and Support: The main points are presented, but they lack specific examples and detailed explanations to fully support the arguments.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Fast fashion (noun) – /fɑːst ˈfæʃən/ – Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends.
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Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing ecological damage.
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Regulate (verb) – /ˈreɡjuleɪt/ – Control or supervise (something, especially a company or business activity) by means of rules and regulations.
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Environmental impact (noun phrase) – /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈɪmpækt/ – The effect of human activities on the natural world.
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Consumer responsibility (noun phrase) – /kənˈsjuːmə rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ – The duty of consumers to make informed and ethical choices about their purchases.
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Eco-friendly (adjective) – /ˌiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – Not harmful to the environment.
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Waste management (noun phrase) – /weɪst ˈmænɪdʒmənt/ – The collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage, sewage, and other waste products.
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Ethical production (noun phrase) – /ˈeθɪkl prəˈdʌkʃn/ – Manufacturing processes that take into account moral principles and the well-being of workers and the environment.
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Secondhand clothing (noun phrase) – /ˈsekəndhand ˈkləʊðɪŋ/ – Previously owned or used clothes.
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Incentivize (verb) – /ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/ – Motivate or encourage (someone) to do something by offering a reward.
Conclusion
The topic of government regulation in the fast fashion industry is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of technology in promoting sustainable fashion
- The impact of social media on consumer fashion choices
- Balancing economic growth with environmental protection in the fashion industry
- The effectiveness of international agreements in regulating global fashion brands
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with specific examples. We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section below for feedback and discussion. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and prepare for the exam.