The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand complex texts and answer various question types. One increasingly relevant topic in recent years is the impact of fast fashion on labor rights. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing significance, is likely to feature in future tests as well. Let’s explore this topic through a practice reading passage and questions, followed by detailed analysis and tips to improve your performance.
Reading Passage
The Hidden Cost of Fast Fashion
The fashion industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent decades, with the rise of “fast fashion” revolutionizing how clothes are produced, marketed, and consumed. Fast fashion refers to inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. While this model has made fashionable clothing more accessible to consumers worldwide, it has also raised serious concerns about its impact on labor rights and working conditions in the global supply chain.
One of the primary issues associated with fast fashion is the pressure it places on manufacturers to produce clothing quickly and at the lowest possible cost. This often results in long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions for garment workers, many of whom are located in developing countries. In Bangladesh, for example, which is one of the world’s largest exporters of ready-made garments, workers often face 14-16 hour workdays, seven days a week, during peak seasons. Despite these long hours, wages remain extremely low, with many workers earning less than $3 per day.
The demand for rapid production also leads to corners being cut in terms of workplace safety. The 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which housed several garment factories and resulted in over 1,100 deaths, starkly highlighted the dangerous conditions many workers face. In the aftermath of this tragedy, some improvements have been made, but many factories still lack basic safety measures such as fire exits and proper ventilation.
Another significant issue is the lack of job security in the fast fashion industry. As brands constantly seek the lowest production costs, they frequently move their manufacturing from one country to another. This practice, known as the “race to the bottom,” leaves workers vulnerable to sudden unemployment and makes it difficult for them to advocate for better conditions or form unions.
Child labor is also a persistent problem in the fast fashion supply chain. Despite international efforts to eradicate it, children continue to be employed in various stages of garment production, from cotton picking to sewing. These children are often denied education and face health risks from exposure to harmful chemicals and unsafe working conditions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the vulnerability of workers in the fast fashion industry. As demand for clothing plummeted during lockdowns, many brands canceled orders or refused to pay for goods already produced. This left manufacturers unable to pay their workers, resulting in widespread layoffs and economic hardship for millions of garment workers globally.
In response to these issues, there has been growing pressure on fashion brands to take responsibility for the working conditions in their supply chains. Some companies have implemented codes of conduct and participate in auditing programs to ensure compliance with labor standards. However, critics argue that these measures are often insufficient and fail to address the root causes of labor rights violations.
Consumers are also becoming more aware of the ethical implications of their fashion choices. The rise of the “slow fashion” movement, which emphasizes quality, sustainability, and fair labor practices, represents a growing challenge to the fast fashion model. Some brands are responding by increasing transparency about their supply chains and making commitments to improve working conditions.
Despite these efforts, addressing labor rights issues in the fast fashion industry remains a complex challenge. It requires cooperation between brands, manufacturers, governments, and consumers to create a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry that respects the rights and dignity of workers worldwide.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
For questions 1-5, decide if the statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Fast fashion has made trendy clothing more affordable for consumers globally.
- All garment workers in Bangladesh earn less than $3 per day.
- The Rana Plaza disaster led to significant improvements in factory safety across Bangladesh.
- The fast fashion industry provides stable, long-term employment for workers.
- Some fashion brands have implemented measures to improve working conditions in their supply chains.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D for questions 6-8.
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According to the passage, what is one of the main consequences of the pressure to produce clothing quickly and cheaply?
A) Increased product quality
B) Higher wages for workers
C) Unsafe working conditions
D) More job opportunities -
The term “race to the bottom” in the passage refers to:
A) A competition between workers for jobs
B) Brands seeking the lowest production costs
C) The downward trend in fashion quality
D) Decreasing consumer demand for fast fashion -
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect workers in the fast fashion industry?
A) It led to increased demand for clothing
B) It resulted in better working conditions
C) It caused widespread layoffs and economic hardship
D) It had no significant impact on workers
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to paragraphs 5-8 in the passage. Choose the correct heading from the list below.
A) The impact of a global health crisis
B) Child exploitation in the clothing industry
C) Consumer awareness and the slow fashion movement
D) The challenge of ensuring ethical practices
E) Efforts to improve transparency in supply chains
- Paragraph 5: ____
- Paragraph 6: ____
- Paragraph 7: ____
- Paragraph 8: ____
Answer Key and Explanations
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True – The passage states that fast fashion has “made fashionable clothing more accessible to consumers worldwide.”
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False – The passage mentions that “many workers earning less than $3 per day,” but does not state that all workers earn this amount.
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Not Given – While the passage mentions some improvements after the Rana Plaza disaster, it doesn’t specify whether these were significant or widespread across Bangladesh.
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False – The passage states that the industry leaves “workers vulnerable to sudden unemployment” and makes it difficult for them to advocate for better conditions.
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True – The passage mentions that “Some companies have implemented codes of conduct and participate in auditing programs to ensure compliance with labor standards.”
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C – The passage directly links the pressure for quick, cheap production to “long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions.”
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B – The passage defines this term as brands constantly seeking “the lowest production costs.”
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C – The passage states that the pandemic “left manufacturers unable to pay their workers, resulting in widespread layoffs and economic hardship.”
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B – This paragraph discusses the issue of child labor in the fast fashion supply chain.
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A – This paragraph focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected workers in the fast fashion industry.
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C – This paragraph discusses growing consumer awareness and the rise of the slow fashion movement.
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D – This paragraph concludes by highlighting the complexity of addressing labor rights issues in the fast fashion industry.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking specific language: Pay attention to qualifiers like “many,” “some,” or “often” which can change the meaning of a statement.
- Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text and avoid drawing conclusions based on your own knowledge or opinions.
- Misinterpreting “Not Given”: Remember, this option means the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted by the passage.
- Rushing through the text: Take time to understand the main ideas and supporting details in each paragraph.
Key Vocabulary
- Fast fashion: Inexpensive, trendy clothing produced and consumed quickly
- Labor rights: The legal entitlements and freedoms of workers
- Supply chain: The network of organizations involved in producing and distributing a product
- Race to the bottom: Competition between companies or countries to reduce costs by lowering wages or standards
- Slow fashion: A movement emphasizing sustainable and ethical clothing production
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of passive voice in the passage, which is common in academic and formal writing:
- “Clothes are produced, marketed, and consumed” (passive)
- “Workers are often denied education” (passive)
This structure allows the writer to focus on the action rather than the actor, which can be useful when discussing complex global issues.
Tips for Success in IELTS Reading
- Practice active reading: Underline key information and make brief notes as you read.
- Improve your time management: Allocate specific time for reading the passage and answering questions.
- Expand your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to common IELTS topics like environment, technology, and social issues.
- Familiarize yourself with all question types: Practice with various question formats to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Read widely: Expose yourself to different types of texts to enhance your reading comprehension skills.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. By understanding the types of questions asked and developing effective reading techniques, you can significantly improve your performance.
For more information on sustainability issues in the fashion industry, you might find our article on sustainability challenges in the fashion industry helpful. Additionally, to explore related topics, check out our piece on the importance of sustainable fashion practices.