IELTS Writing Task 2: Fast Fashion (Advantages Disadvantages) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Paraphrased Prompt:

Many people argue that fast fashion has both benefits and drawbacks. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Model Answer:

Fast fashion is popular today. It has good and bad points. One good thing is that it is cheap. People can buy many clothes for little money. Also, new styles come out often, so people can always find something new. But there are bad things too. Fast fashion makes a lot of waste. Clothes are not made to last, so people throw them away quickly. This is bad for the environment. Also, workers in fast fashion often have bad conditions. They work long hours for little pay. In my opinion, the bad things are worse than the good things. We should buy less fast fashion and choose better quality clothes.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): Band 6 - Presents a position but with limited development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 6 - Uses some cohesive devices but often in a simplistic way.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 6 - Uses a mix of appropriate and limited vocabulary.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 6 - Has frequent errors that may impede communication.

Band 7.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The phenomenon of fast fashion has become ubiquitous in contemporary society, presenting both advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, fast fashion offers affordability and variety. Consumers can purchase trendy clothing at reasonable prices, allowing them to frequently update their wardrobes. Moreover, the rapid turnover of styles caters to diverse tastes and preferences. However, the environmental impact of fast fashion is a significant concern. The industry contributes to substantial waste and pollution, as cheaply made garments are often discarded after minimal use. Additionally, the labor practices associated with fast fashion are frequently exploitative, with workers enduring poor conditions for meager wages. In my view, the environmental and ethical drawbacks outweigh the economic benefits, and consumers should prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations when making purchasing decisions.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): Band 7 - Presents a clear position with some development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 7 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use them in a mechanical way.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 7 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey ideas with some flexibility and precision.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 7 - Has occasional errors but they do not impede communication.

Band 8.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The proliferation of fast fashion in recent years has sparked a contentious debate regarding its merits and demerits. Proponents argue that fast fashion democratizes style, making trendy clothing accessible to a broader audience at affordable prices. The rapid turnover of collections also ensures that consumers can readily adapt to evolving fashion trends. Nevertheless, the environmental repercussions of this industry are alarming. The production of cheap, disposable clothing contributes to significant textile waste and pollution, straining natural resources and ecosystems. Furthermore, the labor practices within the fast fashion sector are often criticized for their exploitative nature, with workers subjected to substandard conditions and inadequate remuneration. In my opinion, the environmental and ethical implications of fast fashion are sufficiently grave to warrant a shift towards more sustainable and equitable practices within the industry.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): Band 8 - Presents a clear position with thorough development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 8 - Uses cohesive devices effectively to guide the reader.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 8 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items used appropriately.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 8 - Has occasional errors but they are minor and do not impede communication.

Band 9.0 Answer

Model Answer:

The ascendance of fast fashion as a dominant force in the retail landscape has engendered a polarized discourse, with proponents extolling its economic benefits and detractors highlighting its environmental and ethical ramifications. Advocates of fast fashion contend that it fosters inclusivity by rendering sartorial trends accessible to a wider demographic, while the industry's dynamic nature enables consumers to effortlessly align with the capricious whims of fashion. However, the environmental toll of this sector is staggering, with the proliferation of ephemeral garments exacerbating the global waste crisis and depleting finite resources. Moreover, the labor practices underpinning fast fashion are frequently marred by exploitation, with workers enduring precarious conditions and paltry wages. In my estimation, the environmental degradation and ethical transgressions perpetuated by the fast fashion industry are sufficiently egregious to necessitate a paradigm shift towards sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): Band 9 - Presents a clear position with thorough, extended, and supported development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Band 9 - Uses cohesive devices effectively and flexibly to guide the reader.
• Lexical Resource (LR): Band 9 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with full flexibility and precision.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Band 9 - Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Ubiquitous (adj.) - Found everywhere; widespread.

• Example: The phenomenon of fast fashion has become ubiquitous in contemporary society.

1. Exploitative (adj.) - Treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.

• Example: The labor practices associated with fast fashion are frequently exploitative.

1. Democratizes (v.) - Makes something accessible to the general public.

• Example: Fast fashion democratizes style, making trendy clothing accessible to a broader audience.

1. Repercussions (n.) - Consequences or results of an action or event.

• Example: The environmental repercussions of this industry are alarming.

1. Strain (v.) - Put pressure on something, causing damage or injury.

• Example: The production of cheap, disposable clothing contributes to significant textile waste and pollution, straining natural resources and ecosystems.

1. Remuneration (n.) - Payment for work or services.

• Example: Workers endure poor conditions for meager wages and inadequate remuneration.

1. Proliferation (n.) - Rapid increase in the number or amount of something.

• Example: The proliferation of fast fashion in recent years has sparked a contentious debate.

1. Contentious (adj.) - Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.

• Example: The ascendance of fast fashion has engendered a contentious debate.

1. Extolling (v.) - Praising someone or something highly.

• Example: Proponents extolling its economic benefits.

1. Ramifications (n.) - Consequences of an action or event, especially when complex or long-term.

• Example: The environmental and ethical ramifications of fast fashion.

1. Ephemeral (adj.) - Lasting for a very short time.

• Example: The proliferation of ephemeral garments exacerbating the global waste crisis.

1. Precarious (adj.) - Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.

• Example: Workers enduring precarious conditions and paltry wages.

1. Sartorial (adj.) - Relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress.

• Example: Fast fashion fosters inclusivity by rendering sartorial trends accessible to a wider demographic.

1. Capricious (adj.) - Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; impulsive.

• Example: The dynamic nature of the industry enables consumers to effortlessly align with the capricious whims of fashion.

1. Egregious (adj.) - Outstandingly bad; shocking.

• Example: The environmental degradation and ethical transgressions perpetuated by the fast fashion industry are sufficiently egregious.

1. Paradigm (n.) - A typical example or pattern of something; a model.

• Example: A paradigm shift towards sustainability and corporate responsibility.

1. Ascendance (n.) - The process of rising to a position of power or importance.

• Example: The ascendance of fast fashion as a dominant force in the retail landscape.

1. Polarized (adj.) - Divided into two sharply contrasting groups or opinions.

• Example: The ascendance of fast fashion has engendered a polarized discourse.

1. Transgressions (n.) - An act that goes against a law, command, or rule; an offense.

• Example: The environmental degradation and ethical transgressions perpetuated by the fast fashion industry.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Balance: Focusing too much on one side of the argument without adequately addressing the other.
2. Repetition: Using the same vocabulary and phrases repeatedly without variation.
3. Poor Organization: Failing to structure the essay with clear paragraphs and cohesive devices.
4. Grammatical Errors: Making frequent grammatical mistakes that impede communication.
5. Vague Language: Using imprecise or unclear language that fails to convey the intended meaning.

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