IELTS Writing Task 2: Expert Sample Essays on Fast Fashion’s Environmental Impact

Fast fashion and its environmental consequences have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This trend reflects growing global concerns about sustainability and the fashion industry’s ecological footprint. Based on recent exam patterns, we can expect this theme to appear more frequently in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question and analyze sample essays at different band levels.

Analyzing the Task 2 Question

Some people say that the fashion industry has a negative impact on people and societies. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question invites candidates to discuss the broader impacts of the fashion industry, with a particular focus on its effects on people and societies. While the question doesn’t explicitly mention environmental concerns, a well-rounded response should include environmental impacts as a key aspect of the fashion industry’s influence on people and societies.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

The fashion industry, particularly fast fashion, has come under scrutiny for its wide-ranging negative impacts on individuals and communities worldwide. While it provides affordable clothing options and employment opportunities, I strongly agree that its drawbacks outweigh these benefits due to its detrimental effects on the environment, worker welfare, and consumer behavior.

Firstly, the fashion industry’s environmental toll is staggering. Fast fashion’s business model of rapid production and disposal leads to enormous waste, with millions of tons of textiles ending up in landfills annually. The production process itself is resource-intensive, consuming vast amounts of water and energy while releasing harmful pollutants. For instance, the dyeing of textiles is a major source of water pollution in developing countries, affecting both ecosystems and human health.

Moreover, the industry’s labor practices often exploit vulnerable workers, particularly in developing nations. Many fashion brands outsource production to countries with lax labor laws, resulting in poor working conditions, meager wages, and even child labor. The 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, which killed over 1,000 garment workers, starkly highlighted the human cost of fast fashion’s race to the bottom in terms of production costs.

Additionally, the fast fashion model encourages unsustainable consumer behavior. By constantly introducing new styles at low prices, it fosters a throwaway culture where clothing is seen as disposable rather than durable. This not only contributes to environmental degradation but also creates a cycle of consumption that can lead to financial stress and a skewed sense of self-worth based on keeping up with trends.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the fashion industry isn’t monolithic. Some companies are making efforts to improve sustainability and ethical practices. Initiatives like using recycled materials, implementing fair labor standards, and promoting clothing longevity are steps in the right direction.

In conclusion, while the fashion industry has some positive aspects, its current dominant model of fast fashion has profound negative impacts on the environment, workers, and consumer society. Addressing these issues will require a fundamental shift in both industry practices and consumer attitudes towards clothing and sustainability.

(Word count: 329)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates several characteristics of a high band score (8-9):

1. Clear position: The writer clearly states their agreement with the prompt in the introduction.
2. Coherent structure: Each paragraph focuses on a specific impact (environmental, labor, consumer behavior) with clear topic sentences.
3. Developed ideas: Ideas are fully explained with relevant examples (e.g., Rana Plaza collapse).
4. Balanced view: The essay acknowledges positive aspects and efforts for improvement in the penultimate paragraph.
5. Sophisticated vocabulary: The writer uses a range of advanced vocabulary accurately (e.g., “scrutiny,” “detrimental,” “staggering”).
6. Complex sentence structures: The essay includes a mix of simple and complex sentences.
7. Cohesive devices: Appropriate use of linking words and phrases (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “However”).

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

Fast fashion's environmental impact

The fashion industry has become a big part of our lives, but many people think it has negative effects on people and society. I agree that there are some bad impacts, especially when we talk about fast fashion, but I also think there are some good things about the industry.

One of the main problems with the fashion industry is how it affects the environment. Fast fashion companies make lots of cheap clothes very quickly, which means they use up a lot of resources like water and energy. Also, many clothes end up in the trash after being worn only a few times, which creates a lot of waste. This is bad for the planet and can lead to pollution and climate change.

Another issue is how workers in fashion factories are treated. Many big fashion brands make their clothes in poor countries where workers don’t have good rights. They often work in dangerous conditions and don’t get paid enough money. This is unfair and can hurt whole communities.

Fast fashion also changes how people think about clothes. Because new styles come out all the time and are cheap, people buy more clothes than they need and throw them away quickly. This isn’t good for people’s finances or for teaching them to value things.

However, the fashion industry isn’t all bad. It provides jobs for many people and allows people to express themselves through what they wear. Some fashion 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 some negative impacts on people and society, especially because of fast fashion. But there are also some positive aspects, and some companies are trying to improve. We need to find a balance between enjoying fashion and being responsible about its effects.

(Word count: 298)

Essay Analysis

This essay demonstrates characteristics of a Band 6-7 score:

1. Position: The writer’s position is clear, acknowledging both negative and positive aspects.
2. Structure: The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3. Ideas development: Ideas are explained, but some points lack specific examples or deeper analysis.
4. Vocabulary: The essay uses some topic-specific vocabulary, but the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
5. Grammar: Sentences are generally well-formed, with a mix of simple and compound structures. There are fewer complex sentences than in the higher band essay.
6. Cohesion: Basic linking words are used (e.g., “One of the main problems,” “Another issue,” “However”).
7. Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, but the analysis could be more nuanced and in-depth.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Fast fashion (noun) – Inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. /fɑːst ˈfæʃən/

2. Environmental toll (noun phrase) – The negative impact on the environment. /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl toʊl/

3. Resource-intensive (adjective) – Requiring a large amount of resources. /rɪˈsɔːrs ɪnˈtensɪv/

4. Sustainable (adjective) – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources. /səˈsteɪnəbl/

5. Ethical practices (noun phrase) – Business conduct that is morally right and fair. /ˈeθɪkl ˈpræktɪsɪz/

6. Labor rights (noun phrase) – The legal entitlements of workers. /ˈleɪbər raɪts/

7. Throwaway culture (noun phrase) – A society characterized by consumerism and the disposal of goods. /ˈθroʊəˌweɪ ˈkʌltʃər/

8. Ecological footprint (noun phrase) – The impact of human activities measured in terms of the area of biologically productive land and water required to produce the goods consumed and to assimilate the wastes generated. /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˈfʊtprɪnt/

9. Supply chain (noun phrase) – The network between a company and its suppliers to produce and distribute a specific product. /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/

10. Circular economy (noun phrase) – An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. /ˈsɜːkjələr iˈkɒnəmi/

Conclusion

The environmental impact of fast fashion is a crucial topic that is likely to appear in future IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

• The role of consumers in promoting sustainable fashion
• Government regulations to control the environmental impact of the fashion industry
• The balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the context of fashion

Remember to structure your essays clearly, develop your ideas with specific examples, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Don’t forget to practice timing yourself to ensure you can complete the task within the 40-minute limit.

We encourage you to write your own essay on the topic provided in this article and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you improve your writing skills and receive feedback from fellow IELTS aspirants. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!