Ethical consumerism and sustainability are increasingly important topics in today’s globalized world. These themes frequently appear in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions, reflecting their relevance to contemporary issues. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see more questions related to this subject in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore a sample question that has been adapted from past IELTS exams:

Some people believe that consumers should avoid buying products from companies that are known to mistreat their employees or damage the environment. Others argue that consumers have no responsibility for a company’s actions. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

This question touches on the core aspects of ethical consumerism and its role in promoting sustainability. Let’s analyze the question and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Question Analysis

This question presents two contrasting viewpoints:

1. Consumers should boycott unethical companies
2. Consumers are not responsible for companies’ actions

To effectively answer this question, you need to:

• Discuss both perspectives
• Provide arguments and examples for each view
• State your own opinion and justify it
• Use relevant vocabulary related to ethical consumerism and corporate responsibility

Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In today’s interconnected global marketplace, the debate over consumer responsibility in relation to corporate ethics has gained significant traction. While some argue that consumers should actively avoid purchasing products from companies with poor ethical records, others contend that the onus of corporate behavior should not fall on the consumer. In my opinion, while consumers cannot bear full responsibility, they do play a crucial role in shaping corporate behavior through their purchasing decisions.

Those who advocate for consumer boycotts of unethical companies argue that this approach can effectively pressure businesses to improve their practices. By withholding their financial support, consumers can send a powerful message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated. For instance, the boycott of Nike in the 1990s due to allegations of child labor led to significant improvements in the company’s supply chain practices. This example demonstrates how consumer action can drive positive change in corporate behavior.

On the other hand, proponents of consumer non-responsibility argue that it is unrealistic and unfair to expect consumers to thoroughly research every company they buy from. They contend that governments and regulatory bodies should be responsible for ensuring corporate compliance with ethical standards. Moreover, in a world where many large corporations own multiple brands, it can be challenging for consumers to make fully informed choices. For example, a consumer boycotting Nestlé might unknowingly purchase products from one of its many subsidiary brands.

In my view, while consumers cannot be held fully accountable for corporate actions, they do have a significant role to play in promoting ethical business practices. Informed consumer choices can create market incentives for companies to adopt more sustainable and ethical practices. However, this should be complemented by strong regulatory frameworks and corporate governance. Consumers can make a difference by staying informed, supporting ethical brands when possible, and advocating for stronger corporate responsibility laws.

In conclusion, the power of consumer choice in shaping corporate behavior should not be underestimated. While it is unreasonable to expect consumers to bear full responsibility for corporate ethics, their collective actions can significantly influence business practices. A balanced approach involving consumer awareness, corporate responsibility, and effective regulation is key to promoting a more ethical and sustainable business environment.

(Word count: 345)

Diagram illustrating the relationship between ethical consumerism and sustainability

Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)

This essay demonstrates excellence in several key areas:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating the writer’s own opinion. It provides well-developed arguments and relevant examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. It uses cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “In conclusion”) and maintains a clear central topic in each paragraph.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control (e.g., “interconnected global marketplace”, “withholding their financial support”, “regulatory frameworks”). There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. It demonstrates consistent control of complex sentences, with only rare minor errors.

5. Development and Support: Each main point is well-supported with relevant examples and explanations, such as the Nike boycott and the complexity of brand ownership.

6. Critical Thinking: The essay shows nuanced thinking by acknowledging the complexity of the issue and proposing a balanced approach.

This essay would likely score in the Band 8-9 range due to its sophisticated argument, precise language use, and clear, logical structure.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

The question of whether consumers should avoid buying products from companies that mistreat their workers or harm the environment is a complex one. Some people think consumers have this responsibility, while others believe it’s not the consumers’ job to worry about this. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.

On one side, people argue that consumers should stop buying from unethical companies. They say this can force companies to change their bad practices. For example, if many people stop buying clothes from a company that uses child labor, the company might change to keep its customers. This shows that consumers have power to make companies do better.

However, others think consumers shouldn’t have to worry about company ethics. They say it’s too hard for consumers to know about every company’s actions. Also, they argue that it’s the government’s job to make sure companies follow rules. For instance, a normal person can’t easily find out how a big company treats its workers in another country.

In my opinion, I think consumers do have some responsibility, but they can’t solve the problem alone. It’s good for people to try to buy from ethical companies when they can. But governments and companies also need to do their part. Governments should make stricter rules, and companies should be more transparent about their practices.

To conclude, while consumers can play a role in encouraging ethical business practices by their choices, it’s not fair to put all the responsibility on them. A combination of consumer awareness, government regulation, and corporate responsibility is needed to address this issue effectively.

(Word count: 269)

Flowchart showing the impact of consumer choices on business practices

Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)

This essay demonstrates good writing skills but has some areas for improvement:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and stating the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas could be more fully developed.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression. It uses some cohesive devices, but they could be more varied.

3. Lexical Resource: The essay uses an adequate range of vocabulary, with some attempts at more sophisticated words (e.g., “transparent”, “ethical”). There are no major errors in word choice or spelling.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control. There are some minor errors, but they do not impede communication.

5. Development and Support: Each main point is supported with an example, but these could be more detailed or specific.

6. Critical Thinking: The essay shows some critical thinking by acknowledging the complexity of the issue, but the analysis could be deeper.

This essay would likely score in the Band 6-7 range. It demonstrates a good understanding of the task and communicates ideas clearly, but lacks the sophistication and depth of a higher band score essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Ethical consumerism (noun) – The practice of purchasing products and services that have been produced in a way that minimizes social and/or environmental damage.
   Pronunciation: /ˈeθɪkəl kənˈsjuːmərɪzəm/

2. Corporate responsibility (noun) – A company’s sense of responsibility towards the community and environment in which it operates.
   Pronunciation: /ˈkɔːpərət rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti/

3. Sustainability (noun) – The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
   Pronunciation: /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/

4. Boycott (verb/noun) – To withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.
   Pronunciation: /ˈbɔɪkɒt/

5. Transparency (noun) – The quality of being open and honest in business or governance.
   Pronunciation: /trænsˈpærənsi/

6. Supply chain (noun) – The network of organizations involved in the production and distribution of a product.
   Pronunciation: /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/

7. Regulatory framework (noun) – The system of regulations and standards set by authorities to control an activity or process.
   Pronunciation: /ˈreɡjʊlətəri ˈfreɪmwɜːk/

8. Mistreat (verb) – To treat badly or abusively.
   Pronunciation: /mɪsˈtriːt/

9. Advocate (verb) – To publicly recommend or support.
   Pronunciation: /ˈædvəkeɪt/

10. Onus (noun) – The responsibility or duty to do something.
    Pronunciation: /ˈəʊnəs/

How to promote responsible consumerism in a globalized world is a complex challenge that requires efforts from various stakeholders, including consumers, businesses, and governments. By understanding and using these key terms, you can articulate your ideas more effectively in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essays on this topic.

Conclusion

The Role Of Ethical Consumerism In Promoting Sustainability is a crucial topic in today’s globalized world. As we’ve seen from the sample essays, this subject allows for rich discussion and analysis, making it an excellent choice for IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare for similar questions, consider practicing with these related topics:

1. The impact of consumer choices on global environmental issues
2. The role of government regulations in promoting corporate ethics
3. The challenges of maintaining ethical practices in a competitive global market
4. The effectiveness of consumer boycotts in changing corporate behavior
5. The balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not just about having knowledge on the topic, but also about organizing your ideas clearly, using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and developing your arguments with relevant examples.

We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This is an excellent way to apply what you’ve learned and get feedback from others. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

Infographic on tips for practicing ethical consumerism essays

How can digital media promote ethical consumerism? This is another interesting angle to consider when discussing the role of ethical consumerism in promoting sustainability. As you continue to explore this topic, remember that promoting ethical businesses is not just about consumer choices, but also about broader societal and economic structures. Keep these connections in mind as you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2.