Some people say that manufacturers and supermarkets should take the responsibility of reducing the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should take responsibility and avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Sample Response
In today's world, the issue of excessive packaging of consumer products has become a subject of debate as most of the packaging uses non-biodegradable plastics that harm the environment. Some argue that manufacturers and supermarkets should bear the responsibility of reducing packaging, while others believe that customers should play a more active role in avoiding products with excessive packaging. This essay will discuss both perspectives and assert that while manufacturers and supermarkets should take the initiative to reduce packaging, customers' choices can also play a significant role in promoting sustainability.
On the one hand, many believe that the burden of reducing packaging should lie with manufacturers and supermarkets. As key players in the supply chain, they can implement changes that can lead to significant reductions in packaging waste. By adopting sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly materials and employing efficient packaging techniques, they can minimize the environmental impact caused by excessive packaging. For instance, in recent years, some leading supermarkets have made significant strides in reducing single-use plastics and implementing recycling programmes, demonstrating that they are capable of driving positive change.
On the other hand, others think that customers possess considerable power to influence packaging practices through their purchasing decisions. When consumers actively choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging, they signal to manufacturers and retailers that they value sustainability and environmental consciousness. This demand-driven approach can incentivize companies to rethink their packaging strategies and make eco-friendly choices. By embracing a culture of conscious consumption, customers can be catalysts for positive change in the market.
In my opinion, the responsibility to reduce packaging waste should be shared by manufacturers, supermarkets and customers. While manufacturers should prioritize sustainable practices, customers can exert influence through their preferences. By working together, these stakeholders can create a more sustainable future, where excessive packaging becomes a thing of the past, and responsible consumption becomes the norm.
In conclusion, addressing the issue of excessive packaging requires a joint effort from manufacturers, supermarkets, and customers alike. By collaborating, we can make meaningful progress towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious society.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct packaging phrasing Original: as most of the packaging uses non-biodegradable plastics Suggested revision: because much of this packaging is made from non-biodegradable plastic Why it matters: Packaging is made from plastic rather than using it.
- 2. Use natural collocation Original: bear the responsibility of reducing packaging Suggested revision: bear responsibility for reducing packaging Why it matters: The usual collocation is “responsibility for” followed by a gerund.
- 3. Clarify the action Original: play a more active role in avoiding products Suggested revision: take a more active role by avoiding products Why it matters: Using “by” makes avoidance the means through which customers act.
- 4. Make wording concise Original: implement changes that can lead to significant reductions Suggested revision: implement measures that significantly reduce Why it matters: The revision removes unnecessary wording while preserving the claim.
- 5. Remove redundancy Original: environmental impact caused by excessive packaging Suggested revision: environmental impact of excessive packaging Why it matters: The noun phrase with “of” expresses the same relationship more directly.
- 6. Clarify what decreases Original: made significant strides in reducing single-use plastics Suggested revision: made significant strides in reducing the use of single-use plastics Why it matters: The revision makes clear that plastic use, rather than the material itself, is being reduced.
- 7. Choose precise wording Original: environmental consciousness Suggested revision: environmental responsibility Why it matters: “Environmental responsibility” more directly describes the consumer value discussed here.
- 8. Use a direct verb Original: can be catalysts for positive change in the market Suggested revision: can drive positive change in the market Why it matters: A direct verb makes the claim more concise and natural.
- 9. Correct the collocation Original: responsibility to reduce packaging waste Suggested revision: responsibility for reducing packaging waste Why it matters: “Responsibility for” is the more natural construction when naming a duty.
- 10. Remove unnecessary comma Original: future, where excessive packaging Suggested revision: future where excessive packaging Why it matters: The defining clause identifies the kind of future intended and does not need a comma.
Suggested Rewrites
- as most of the packaging uses non-biodegradable plastics because much of this packaging is made from non-biodegradable plastic
- bear the responsibility of reducing packaging bear responsibility for reducing packaging
- play a more active role in avoiding products take a more active role by avoiding products
- implement changes that can lead to significant reductions implement measures that significantly reduce
- environmental impact caused by excessive packaging environmental impact of excessive packaging
- made significant strides in reducing single-use plastics made significant strides in reducing the use of single-use plastics
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response’s strongest feature is its clear, balanced treatment of both viewpoints, supported by a consistent position that responsibility should be shared. Its main limitation is that several supporting points and the supermarket example remain general rather than analytically extended. The highest-priority improvement is to develop one concrete mechanism or consequence for each side, especially showing how consumer choices translate into measurable packaging reductions.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
The response addresses both views directly, maintains a clear opinion, and supports each perspective with relevant explanation.
Extend the support with a more specific example or causal explanation for how each group can reduce packaging waste.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through well-focused paragraphs, and cohesive devices make the argument easy to follow.
Reduce the slight repetition between the opinion paragraph and conclusion by giving each a more distinct purpose.
Lexical Resource
A wide and precise vocabulary conveys the environmental and commercial arguments naturally, with only minor repetition.
Use more specific language for measurable outcomes and vary repeated terms such as packaging and sustainable.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately, and the response is largely free from grammatical error.
Refine occasional punctuation around longer clauses so that already sophisticated sentences remain maximally controlled.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Some people say that manufacturers and supermarkets should take the responsibility of reducing the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should take responsibility and avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.