Fast fashion and its environmental consequences have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on recent trends and the growing global concern about sustainability, it’s highly likely that this subject will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in past tests and could potentially resurface in various forms.
Some people think that the fashion industry has a negative impact on people’s lives and on the environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to express their opinion on the fashion industry’s impact on both society and the environment. The key aspects to address are:
- The fashion industry’s influence on people’s lives
- The environmental consequences of fashion production and consumption
- Your personal stance on whether these impacts are predominantly negative
It’s crucial to provide a balanced argument, supporting your views with relevant examples and explanations.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, has come under scrutiny for its wide-ranging effects on society and the environment. While it offers affordable and trendy clothing options, I strongly agree that its negative impacts outweigh the benefits.
Firstly, the fashion industry’s influence on people’s lives is profound and often detrimental. The constant pressure to keep up with rapidly changing trends can lead to financial strain and decreased self-esteem, especially among young people. Moreover, the industry’s promotion of unrealistic beauty standards contributes to body image issues and mental health problems. These social costs are compounded by the exploitation of workers in developing countries, where unsafe working conditions and low wages are common in garment factories.
Secondly, the environmental toll of fast fashion is alarming. The production of cheap, disposable clothing contributes significantly to pollution, water waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, the textile dyeing process is the second largest polluter of clean water globally, after agriculture. Furthermore, the throwaway culture encouraged by fast fashion results in millions of tons of textile waste in landfills each year, many of which are non-biodegradable synthetic fibers that persist in the environment for centuries.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that the fashion industry also creates jobs and drives economic growth in many countries. Additionally, some companies are making efforts to improve their practices through sustainable production methods and ethical labor policies.
In conclusion, while the fashion industry has some positive aspects, I believe its negative impacts on both people and the planet are substantial and cannot be ignored. To mitigate these effects, consumers should be more mindful of their purchasing habits, and governments should implement stricter regulations on fashion production and waste management.
(Word count: 292)
Fast fashion environmental impact
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The fashion industry has become a big part of our lives, but some people think it’s bad for us and the environment. I agree that it has many negative effects, but I also think there are some good things about it.
One big problem with the fashion industry is how it affects people. Many people feel pressure to buy new clothes all the time to look cool, which can be expensive and make them feel bad about themselves if they can’t afford it. Also, the people who make the clothes often work in bad conditions and don’t get paid enough. This is especially true in poor countries where many factories are.
Another issue is the damage to the environment. Making clothes uses a lot of water and energy, and creates pollution. For example, making jeans uses a lot of water and the chemicals from dyeing clothes can pollute rivers. Also, people throw away a lot of clothes that end up in landfills, which is bad for the planet.
But the fashion industry isn’t all bad. It gives jobs to many people and helps the economy in some countries. Some companies are also trying to be more environmentally friendly by using better materials and production methods.
In conclusion, I think the fashion industry does have many negative impacts on people and the environment. But there are also some positive aspects. We need to find a balance and make the industry more responsible.
(Word count: 249)
Key Writing Tips
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Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The higher band essay has more sophisticated paragraph development.
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Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language.
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Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures, while the lower band essay uses simpler constructions.
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Task Response: Both essays address all parts of the question, but the Band 8-9 essay provides more detailed and nuanced arguments.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases to connect ideas seamlessly.
Important Vocabulary to Remember
- Fast fashion (noun) /fɑːst ˈfæʃ.ən/ – inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends
- Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – the quality of being able to continue over a period of time while avoiding the depletion of natural resources
- Disposable (adjective) /dɪˈspəʊ.zə.bəl/ – made to be used once or only a few times and then thrown away
- Textile waste (noun) /ˈtek.staɪl weɪst/ – any clothing or household cloth that is thrown away
- Biodegradable (adjective) /ˌbaɪ.əʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl/ – able to decay naturally and in a way that is not harmful to the environment
- Ethical labor (noun) /ˈeθ.ɪ.kəl ˈleɪ.bər/ – work practices that ensure fair treatment and compensation of workers
- Throwaway culture (noun) /ˈθrəʊ.ə.weɪ ˈkʌl.tʃər/ – a society that tends to use things once and then discard them
- Greenhouse gas emissions (noun) /ˈɡriːn.haʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃ.ənz/ – the release of gases that contribute to global warming
- Synthetic fibers (noun) /sɪnˈθet.ɪk ˈfaɪ.bərz/ – man-made fibers produced by chemical synthesis
- Landfill (noun) /ˈlænd.fɪl/ – a place where waste is buried in the ground
In conclusion, the impact of fast fashion on the environment is a crucial topic that IELTS candidates should be prepared to discuss. Future exams may present variations on this theme, such as:
- Discuss the role of consumers in promoting sustainable fashion.
- Compare the environmental impact of the fashion industry with other industries.
- Explore potential solutions to reduce the negative effects of fast fashion.
To enhance your writing skills, try composing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you apply the vocabulary and structures discussed, improving your ability to tackle similar questions in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
