Name: Date: reading (10 marks) 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

WRITING TASK 8 MODEL ANSWER

Fashion is harmful. Discuss.

The fashion industry is worth billions of dollars and creates millions of jobs around the world. However, 

its critics argue that fashion encourages us to spend money on things we do not need, is harmful to 

the environment and exploits workers in developing countries. This essay will argue that these views 

are simplistic, and that both the global economy and those societies it maintains would be worse off 

without fashion.

The speed of change in the fashion world means that we buy new clothes unnecessarily. This means 

that more cotton needs to be produced, resulting in more intensive agriculture, which in turn leads 

to environmental damage. However, stopping production in developing countries would deprive 

millions of workers of a vital source of income. It would have a trickle down effect on local economies as 

governments would receive fewer taxes. 

Many clothes are produced in factories with poor safety standards. The people who work in them are 

paid low wages, while the international clothing companies make huge profits. However, the fashion 

industry provides jobs in factories and in primary industries such as wool and cotton. Rather than 

keeping the same clothes year after year, we have a duty to the global economy to regularly update our 

wardrobes.

Critics argue that it is wrong to throw away clothing just because it is out of fashion. However, fashion 

is an art form that gives pleasure to millions. It allows people to express themselves and stand out from 

the crowd. 

To conclude, fashion may have some negative impact on the environment, but this is true of all major 

industries. It brings in revenue to governments, both in developing countries and in the industrialized 

world. Fashion gives pleasure to consumers and provides employment for workers. To destroy fashion 

would be to destroy lives.

ADDITIONAL WRITING TASK 8

Discuss the consequences of a global ban on branded fashion.