The topic of sustainable fashion industry has gained significant traction in recent IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on analysis of past exam trends and current global concerns, it’s highly likely that this theme will continue to appear in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant question and provide sample essays to help you prepare effectively.
Analyzing the Question
Some people think that the fashion industry has a negative impact on people’s lives and society, while others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the negative impacts of the fashion industry on individuals and society
- Present arguments for those who disagree with this view
- Provide your personal opinion on the matter
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Fashion, a dynamic and influential industry, has long been a subject of debate regarding its impact on individuals and society. While some argue that it exerts a negative influence, others contend that its effects are largely positive. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Those who criticize the fashion industry often point to its potential negative impacts. Firstly, the relentless pursuit of trends can lead to excessive consumerism, encouraging people to constantly buy new clothes and discard older ones, regardless of their condition. This not only strains personal finances but also contributes to environmental degradation through increased textile waste. Moreover, the industry’s promotion of unrealistic beauty standards can negatively affect mental health, particularly among young people, leading to issues such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders.
On the other hand, proponents of the fashion industry argue that it brings numerous benefits. Fashion serves as a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to communicate their identity and creativity through their clothing choices. Additionally, the industry is a significant economic driver, providing employment for millions worldwide, from designers and manufacturers to retailers and marketers. Furthermore, fashion can be a powerful tool for social change, with many brands now championing sustainability and ethical production practices.
In my opinion, while the fashion industry does have the potential for negative impacts, its overall influence depends largely on how it is approached both by businesses and consumers. The key lies in promoting a more sustainable and inclusive fashion ecosystem. This can be achieved through various means, such as encouraging the use of eco-friendly materials, implementing fair labor practices, and promoting body positivity in advertising campaigns. Consumers, too, have a role to play by making more conscious purchasing decisions and embracing concepts like slow fashion and capsule wardrobes.
In conclusion, the fashion industry’s impact on individuals and society is multifaceted. While it can contribute to consumerism and promote unrealistic standards, it also offers avenues for self-expression and economic growth. By fostering a more responsible and inclusive approach to fashion, we can mitigate its negative aspects while amplifying its positive contributions to society.
(Word count: 339)
Essay Analysis
This essay achieves a Band 8-9 score due to several factors:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s own opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific point, and ideas are logically developed.
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Lexical Resource: The essay demonstrates a wide range of vocabulary used accurately and appropriately. Examples include “relentless pursuit,” “excessive consumerism,” and “body dysmorphia.”
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a variety of complex structures accurately. It also shows good control of grammar and punctuation throughout.
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Development of Ideas: Each point is well-developed with explanations and examples, showing depth of thought and analysis.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The fashion industry is a big part of our lives today. Some people think it has bad effects on people and society, while others disagree. This essay will look at both sides and give my opinion.
On one hand, the fashion industry can have negative impacts. It often makes people want to buy more clothes than they need, which can be bad for their money and the environment. Also, fashion ads sometimes show very thin models, which can make people feel bad about their own bodies.
However, there are also good things about the fashion industry. It gives jobs to many people, from designers to shop workers. Fashion also lets people express themselves through their clothes. Some fashion brands are now trying to be more eco-friendly and use better materials.
In my opinion, the fashion industry has both good and bad sides. I think it’s important for fashion companies to be more responsible. They should use better materials and show different types of body shapes in their ads. People should also think more before they buy clothes and try to buy less but better quality.
To conclude, while the fashion industry can have some negative effects, it also has positive aspects. If both companies and consumers make better choices, fashion can be a good thing for society.
(Word count: 218)
Essay Analysis
This essay achieves a Band 6-7 score for the following reasons:
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Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but the discussion of each viewpoint is less developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure, but the ideas within paragraphs could be more fully developed and better linked.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate but less sophisticated than in the higher band essay. There’s less variety in word choice.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar. However, it lacks the range and flexibility seen in higher band scores.
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Development of Ideas: While main ideas are present, they are less fully explored and supported compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Sustainable fashion (noun phrase) /səˈsteɪnəbl ˈfæʃən/ – clothing and accessories produced and consumed in ways that can be sustained while protecting both the environment and those producing them
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Ethical production (noun phrase) /ˈeθɪkəl prəˈdʌkʃən/ – manufacturing processes that take into account the welfare of workers and the environment
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Fast fashion (noun phrase) /fɑːst ˈfæʃən/ – inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends
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Capsule wardrobe (noun phrase) /ˈkæpsjuːl ˈwɔːdrəʊb/ – a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don’t go out of fashion
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Textile waste (noun phrase) /ˈtekstaɪl weɪst/ – any clothing or household cloth that is thrown away
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Consumerism (noun) /kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/ – the protection or promotion of the interests of consumers
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Body dysmorphia (noun phrase) /ˈbɒdi dɪsˈmɔːfiə/ – a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance
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Eco-friendly (adjective) /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrendli/ – not harmful to the environment
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Slow fashion (noun phrase) /sləʊ ˈfæʃən/ – an approach to producing clothing which emphasizes quality, longevity, and environmental sustainability
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Fair labor practices (noun phrase) /feə ˈleɪbə ˈpræktɪsɪz/ – employment practices that adhere to ethical standards and respect workers’ rights
Conclusion
The sustainable fashion industry is a complex and evolving topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. By understanding different perspectives on this issue and practicing with sample essays like those provided above, you can improve your ability to write a well-structured, coherent response.
For further practice, consider writing an essay on one of these related topics:
- The role of technology in promoting sustainable fashion
- The responsibility of consumers in driving sustainable fashion practices
- The impact of fast fashion on developing countries
Remember to focus on developing your ideas fully, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and maintaining a clear structure throughout your essay. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with fellow IELTS aspirants.