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 pursue 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 big reason why people now prefer throwing things away instead of fixing them is because technology keeps advancing so quickly. For example, with phones, there are always new and better versions coming out, making the old ones seem outdated. So, it’s more common for people to choose buying new things rather than fixing the old ones. This quick turnover of products doesn’t just show that people like having the latest stuff; it also creates a lot of electronic waste, which is bad 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 constant throwing away of things, especially those that don’t break down easily, makes 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 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.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use natural wording Original: pursue new acquisitions Suggested revision: buy replacements Why it matters: This conveys the consumer action more naturally and directly.
- 2. Use formal register Original: big Suggested revision: key Why it matters: Key is more appropriate than big in a formal essay.
- 3. Tighten the wording Original: technology keeps advancing so quickly Suggested revision: technology advances so rapidly Why it matters: This is a more concise and formal expression of the same cause.
- 4. Clarify the example Original: with phones Suggested revision: in the case of smartphones Why it matters: This identifies the example more precisely and suits the formal register.
- 5. Use precise wording Original: new and better versions coming out Suggested revision: newer, improved models being released Why it matters: This is a more precise description of successive product versions.
- 6. Use formal transition Original: So Suggested revision: Consequently Why it matters: Consequently states the cause-and-effect link in a more formal way.
- 7. Fix verb pattern Original: choose buying Suggested revision: choose to buy Why it matters: Choose takes a to-infinitive when it introduces a selected action.
- 8. Avoid informal wording Original: stuff Suggested revision: products Why it matters: Products is more precise and formal than stuff.
- 9. Use concise wording Original: bad for the environment Suggested revision: environmentally harmful Why it matters: This expresses the same consequence more concisely and formally.
- 10. Use precise noun phrase Original: The constant throwing away of things Suggested revision: The continual disposal of products Why it matters: Disposal of products is a more precise formal expression for this repeated action.
- 11. Strengthen the collocation Original: makes our waste problem worse Suggested revision: exacerbates waste-management problems Why it matters: Exacerbates is the natural formal verb for making an existing problem worse.
- 12. Use formal phrasing Original: a tricky challenge that governments and businesses need to figure out Suggested revision: a complex challenge that governments and businesses need to address Why it matters: Complex and address maintain the meaning in a more academic register.
Suggested Rewrites
- pursue new acquisitions buy replacements
- big key
- technology keeps advancing so quickly technology advances so rapidly
- with phones in the case of smartphones
- new and better versions coming out newer, improved models being released
- So Consequently
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.
Write this task while it is fresh
Try the same task now. It helps you remember the feedback and write better next time.
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.