Nowadays, people always throw old things away and buy new things, whereas in the past, old things were repaired and used again. What factors cause this phenomenon? What effects does the phenomenon lead to?
Sample Response
In today’s world, consumer behavior has undergone a significant transformation, marked by a growing tendency to discard old possessions and buy replacementspursue new acquisitions. This trend diverges sharply from past practices, which prioritized repair and reuse. This shift raises concerns about the underlying causes and potential consequences of this phenomenon. In this essay, we will examine the factors driving this trend and investigate its multifaceted implications.
One keybig reason why people now prefer throwing things away instead of fixing them is because technology advances so rapidlytechnology keeps advancing so quickly. For example, in the case of smartphoneswith phones, there are always newer, improved models being releasednew and better versions coming out, making the old ones seem outdated. ConsequentlySo, it’s more common for people to choose to buychoose buying new things rather than fixing the old ones. This quick turnover of products doesn’t just show that people like having the latest productsstuff; it also creates a lot of electronic waste, which is environmentally harmfulbad for the environment.
The effects of this habit of throwing things away go beyond just harming the environment; it also affects our economy and society. The continual disposal of productsThe constant throwing away of things, especially those that don’t break down easily, exacerbates waste-management problemsmakes our waste problem worse. For instance, getting rid of old electronics can pollute the soil and water, causing problems for people and nature. Additionally, from an economic standpoint, although buying and throwing away things helps the economy grow, it also uses up a lot of resources and makes it hard to create a sustainable economy. Balancing economic growth with taking care of the environment is a complex challenge that governments and businesses need to addressa tricky challenge that governments and businesses need to figure out for the long term.
In summary, the current shift towards replacing old belongings with new ones is driven by advancements in technology, consumer trends, and the influence of advertising. This shift has widespread consequences, leading to environmental harm and posing difficulties for economic sustainability. Although convenience and societal influences play a role in this trend, it is crucial for both individuals and policymakers to acknowledge the outcomes and work towards a more balanced way of consuming—one that values both innovation and taking care of the environment. The challenge lies in fostering a mindset that prioritizes long-term use and sustainability over short-lived convenience.
Why this response received Band 7.5
The response is strongest in its clear progression and confident use of varied language, and it addresses both causes and consequences with relevant environmental and economic discussion. Its main limitation is that the causes are developed narrowly around technology while several additional causes appear only in the conclusion; prioritise fully explaining two distinct causes with specific support and avoid introducing new ideas at the end.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both questions are addressed with relevant explanation, but the causes are developed mainly through technology and several concluding claims lack prior support.
Develop two distinct causes in the body with specific causal explanations, and keep the conclusion limited to ideas already discussed.
Coherence and Cohesion
Ideas progress logically through clear paragraphs, although repetition and some loosely connected concluding material reduce cohesion slightly.
Use more precise referencing and synthesis to connect consequences without repeatedly restating the act of throwing things away.
Lexical Resource
A broad vocabulary communicates complex ideas effectively, though informal wording and repeated general terms occasionally weaken precision and register.
Replace phrases such as "latest stuff" and repeated uses of "things" with specific, consistently formal alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used with strong control, and the few awkward constructions do not impede meaning.
Refine complement patterns and phrasing in constructions such as preferring or choosing one action over another.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Nowadays, people always throw old things away and buy new things, whereas in the past, old things were repaired and used again. What factors cause this phenomenon? What effects does the phenomenon lead to?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.