This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of traditional clothing and influcence of western fashion from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Traditional Clothing
In many countries, people now wear western-style dress such as suits and jeans rather than traditional clothing.
Why is this?
Is this a positive or negative development?
It has become increasingly common in recent years for individuals globally to dress in western-influenced clothing. In my opinion, this is a natural result of corporate and cultural globalization and is broadly negative.
The main cause of this phenomenon is globalization. This relates firstly to culture. The growth of the media industry generally and online media more specifically has spread primarily American cultural values. Individuals living in distant nations watch the latest blockbuster Hollywood movies, listen to the same singers and emulate their lifestyle choices including fashion. Secondly, mass production enables this homogeneity. Hundreds of years ago, consumers had no choice other than to buy clothes produced by local artisans. Now, companies like Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger can fabricate identical items of clothing to be shipped globally at affordable prices, forcing many local businesses into bankruptcy.
The positive side of this trend, lower prices and potential inspiration from western fashion, are largely overshadowed by the injurious impact on cultural diversity. For example, in many parts of Asia, there are the rich cultural traditions of various ethnic minorities. These skilled garment-makers follow traditions dating back hundreds of years. The clothing produced is not only beautiful, but also more environmentally friendly and unique. However, these days few local residents are interested as they prefer wealthy western fashion brands that showcase their social status. The result is that the values being espoused by fashion are material wealth and appearances rather than tradition, culture, and artistic skill.
In conclusion, western fashion trends are ubiquitous today due to the effects of globalization and this represents a negative shift in values. Individuals should therefore strive to ignore these trends and purchase clothes that express their culture better when possible.
Analysis
1. It has become increasingly common in recent years for individuals globally to dress in western-influenced clothing. 2. In my opinion, this is a natural result of corporate and cultural globalization and is broadly negative.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. The main cause of this phenomenon is globalization. 2. This relates firstly to culture. 3. The growth of the media industry generally and online media more specifically has spread primarily American cultural values. 4. Individuals living in distant nations watch the latest blockbuster Hollywood movies, listen to the same singers and emulate their lifestyle choices including fashion. 5. Secondly, mass production enables this homogeneity. 6. Hundreds of years ago, consumers had no choice other than to buy clothes produced by local artisans. 7. Now, companies like Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger can fabricate identical items of clothing to be shipped globally at affordable prices, forcing many local businesses into bankruptcy.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Extend with some short sentences as well.
- State the furthest possible result.
- The more you can add, the higher your task achievement score.
1. The positive side of this trend, lower prices and potential inspiration from western fashion, are largely overshadowed by the injurious impact on cultural diversity. 2. For example, in many parts of Asia, there are the rich cultural traditions of various ethnic minorities. 3. These skilled garment-makers follow traditions dating back hundreds of years. 4. The clothing produced is not only beautiful, but also more environmentally friendly and unique. 5. However, these days few local residents are interested as they prefer wealthy western fashion brands that showcase their social status. 6. The result is that the values being espoused by fashion are material wealth and appearances rather than tradition, culture, and artistic skill.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
- Continue the example.
1. In conclusion, western fashion trends are ubiquitous today due to the effects of globalization and this represents a negative shift in values. 2. Individuals should therefore strive to ignore these trends and purchase clothes that express their culture better when possible.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
It has become increasingly common in recent years for individuals globally to dress in western-influenced clothing. In my opinion, this is a natural result of corporate and cultural globalization and is broadly negative.
The main cause of this phenomenon is globalization. This relates firstly to culture. The growth of the media industry generally and online media more specifically has spread primarily American cultural values. Individuals living in distant nations watch the latest blockbuster Hollywood movies, listen to the same singers and emulate their lifestyle choices including fashion. Secondly, mass production enables this homogeneity. Hundreds of years ago, consumers had no choice other than to buy clothes produced by local artisans. Now, companies like Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger can fabricate identical items of clothing to be shipped globally at affordable prices, forcing many local businesses into bankruptcy.
The positive side of this trend, lower prices and potential inspiration from western fashion, are largely overshadowed by the injurious impact on cultural diversity. For example, in many parts of Asia, there are the rich cultural traditions of various ethnic minorities. These skilled garment-makers follow traditions dating back hundreds of years. The clothing produced is not only beautiful, but also more environmentally friendly and unique. However, these days few local residents are interested as they prefer wealthy western fashion brands that showcase their social status. The result is that the values being espoused by fashion are material wealth and appearances rather than tradition, culture, and artistic skill.
In conclusion, western fashion trends are ubiquitous today due to the effects of globalization and this represents a negative shift in values. Individuals should therefore strive to ignore these trends and purchase clothes that express their culture better when possible.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
increasingly common more and more pervasive
globally around the world
dress clothing
western-influenced clothing clothes from America, Europe
natural result of logical consequence of
corporate companies, business
cultural globalization cultures becoming the same around the world
broadly negative mostly bad
main cause primary catalyst
phenomenon development
relates firstly has to do with first of all
growth development
media industry news, websites, etc.
generally overall
online media websites, social media, etc.
more specifically in detail
spread primarily sent out mostly
cultural values traditions
distant nations far away countries
latest blockbuster Hollywood movies big movies from America
singers musicians
emulate copy
lifestyle choices decisions about how someone lives
fashion clothing
mass production making lots of something through factories
enables allows for
homogeneity all the same
hundreds of years ago since before the 1800s
consumers people buying things
produced by local artisans made by artists from this country
fabricate identical items of clothing create the same piece of fashion
shipped globally sent around the world
affordable prices cheap
forcing making
local businesses companies from this country
bankruptcy being driven out of business
positive side beneficial part
lower prices cheaper
potential inspiration possible influence
largely overshadowed mostly stronger than
injurious impact bad effect
cultural diversity different kinds of culture
rich cultural traditions important arts and crafts and fashions from the past
ethnic minorities groups of people
skilled garment-makers good tailors
follow traditions dating back hundreds use old techniques
not only … but also including
environmentally friendly good for nature
unique special
residents people living there
interested care about
prefer like better
wealthy western fashion brands famous clothing makers
showcase demonstrate
social status how you are regarded by other people
result consequence
values important beliefs
espoused encouraged
material wealth money, things
appearances how you look on the outside
rather than instead of
tradition past ways of living
artistic skill how good you are at making art
ubiquitous common
due to because of
represents symbolizes
negative shift in values bad direction
therefore strive thus try hard to
ignore not pay attention to
purchase buy
express show
when possible if it can be done
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈkɒmən
ˈgləʊbəli
drɛs
ˈwɛstən-ˈɪnflʊənst ˈkləʊðɪŋ
ˈnæʧrəl rɪˈzʌlt ɒv
ˈkɔːpərɪt
ˈkʌlʧərəl ˌgləʊb(ə)laɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n
ˈbrɔːdli ˈnɛgətɪv
meɪn kɔːz
fɪˈnɒmɪnən
rɪˈleɪts ˈfɜːstli
grəʊθ
ˈmiːdiə ˈɪndəstri
ˈʤɛnərəli
ˈɒnˌlaɪn ˈmiːdiə
mɔː spəˈsɪfɪk(ə)li
sprɛd ˈpraɪmərɪli
ˈkʌlʧərəl ˈvæljuːz
ˈdɪstənt ˈneɪʃənz
ˈleɪtɪst ˈblɒkˌbʌstə ˈhɒlɪwʊd ˈmuːviz
ˈsɪŋəz
ˈɛmjʊleɪt
ˈlaɪfˌstaɪl ˈʧɔɪsɪz
ˈfæʃən
mæs prəˈdʌkʃən
ɪˈneɪblz
ˌhɒməʊʤɛˈniːɪti
ˈhʌndrədz ɒv jɪəz əˈgəʊ
kənˈsjuːməz
prəˈdjuːst baɪ ˈləʊkəl ˌɑːtɪˈzænz
ˈfæbrɪkeɪt aɪˈdɛntɪkəl ˈaɪtəmz ɒv ˈkləʊðɪŋ
ʃɪpt ˈgləʊbəli
əˈfɔːdəbl ˈpraɪsɪz
ˈfɔːsɪŋ
ˈləʊkəl ˈbɪznɪsɪz
ˈbæŋkrəptsi
ˈpɒzətɪv saɪd
ˈləʊə ˈpraɪsɪz
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˌɪnspəˈreɪʃən
ˈlɑːʤli ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊd
ɪnˈʤʊərɪəs ˈɪmpækt
ˈkʌlʧərəl daɪˈvɜːsɪti
rɪʧ ˈkʌlʧərəl trəˈdɪʃənz
ˈɛθnɪk maɪˈnɒrɪtiz
skɪld ˈgɑːmənt-ˈmeɪkəz
ˈfɒləʊ trəˈdɪʃənz ˈdeɪtɪŋ bæk ˈhʌndrədz
nɒt ˈəʊnli … bʌt ˈɔːlsəʊ
ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntli ˈfrɛndli
juːˈniːk
ˈrɛzɪdənts
ˈɪntrɪstɪd
priˈfɜː
ˈwɛlθi ˈwɛstən ˈfæʃən brændz
ˈʃəʊkeɪs
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈsteɪtəs
rɪˈzʌlt
ˈvæljuːz
ɪsˈpaʊzd
məˈtɪərɪəl wɛlθ
əˈpɪərənsɪz
ˈrɑːðə ðæn
trəˈdɪʃən
ɑːˈtɪstɪk skɪl
ju(ː)ˈbɪkwɪtəs
djuː tuː
ˌrɛprɪˈzɛnts
ˈnɛgətɪv ʃɪft ɪn ˈvæljuːz
ˈðeəfɔː straɪv
ɪgˈnɔː
ˈpɜːʧəs
ɪksˈprɛs
wɛn ˈpɒsəbl
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
It has become i__________________________n in recent years for individuals g_____________y to d_____s in w__________________________g. In my opinion, this is a n___________________f c_____________e and c___________________n and is b__________________e.
The m______________e of this p_____________n is globalization. This r_________________y to culture. The g__________h of the m________________________________y and o__________________a m_______________________y has s______________________y American c__________________________s. Individuals living in d_______________s watch the l__________________________________s, listen to the same s___________s and e____________e their l____________________s including f____________n. Secondly, m____________________n e___________s this h_________________y. H________________o, c_______________s had no choice other than to buy clothes p__________________________s. Now, companies like Louis Vuitton and Tommy Hilfiger can f_________________________________g to be s____________________y at a____________________s, f________________g many l__________________s into b__________y.
The p_________________e of this trend, l______________s and p________________________n from western fashion, are l_________________________d by the i______________________t on c__________________________y. For example, in many parts of Asia, there are the r_________________________s of various e_____________________s. These s______________________s f______________________s d_______________________s of years. The clothing produced is n_________y beautiful, b_________o more e________________________y and u__________e. However, these days few local r______________s are i_______________d as they p_________r w_________________________________s that s_____________e their s__________________s. The r__________t is that the v_________s being e_______________d by fashion are m_________________h and a_____________________s r_________________n t_____________n, culture, and a_______________l.
In conclusion, western fashion trends are u_______________s today d_______o the effects of globalization and this r____________s a n___________________s. Individuals should t_______________e to i__________e these trends and p__________e clothes that e_________s their culture better w____________e.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Fashion
- Why are designer bran clothes popular?
- Why are these brands so expensive?
- How has fashion changed in your country?
- Is it important for designers to stay up to date with the latest fashions?
- Is fashion more important than adapting your clothes to the weather?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
The number of people who are interested in and wearing fashionable clothes is increasing.
Is this a positive or negative development?
There are more people who prefer fashion clothes instead of normal outfits. In my opinion, it is a positive tendency. It implies that people can do what they like, and it also improves the clothing industry.
This situation shows that people have the capacity to buy the clothes they want. Nowadays, society is developing fast, which leads to more wages and a better life for each citizen. With more income, people could spend money on the fashion clothes they like instead of considering how to survive. More than a thousand years ago, people needed to try their best to keep themselves alive. High taxes from the government, weather catastrophes, and wars may all kill people. At that time, the fashion clothes exist only in royal family, and other citizen had to find food for living. But now, people not only have the ability to have a feast, but they can also afford fashion clothes, which shows that people are having better lives.
The tendency of fashion clothes can also have positive influence on the clothing industry. Because the demand for fashion clothes is increasing, more effort is required to produce fashion clothes. For instance, the demand for jeans is rising, which leads to more jeans-producing factories. More factories means more competition. Those factories would develop new techniques to reduce the price of dealing with raw materials. And the lower the price of jeans, the more the market would win. As a result, people can buy fashion clothes at a low price and a mature clothing industry is obtained.
In sum, the popularity of fashion clothes indicates that people have a good life without worrying about the supply of living, which can further lead to an advanced cloth manufature. The aim of having a better life should be advocated.
Good again, Gakki!
Nice examples – and very logical development of your ideas.
Keep up the high quality answers that lots of students can learn from!
Hey Dave! Firstly wanted to let you know that what you’re doing is a great help and i highly appreciate it. Thank you so much!!
Also could you please review the essay below and let me know what band i could expect? Thank you so much once again!!
As the use of technology and western countries taking over has had an upsurge, today’s world is highly westernized. This leading to most countries adapting to the western culture and abandoning their traditions inherited long ago.
Firstly, I believe the leap in technology where social media plays a prime role is a crucial element of westernization. Celebrities and influencers from the western world are taken as role models by many young users. Which further paves the path to the young generation picking suits and jeans over sarees and kimonos as they grow up. Suit and jeans, as they are made to seem much more attractive and pleasant than their own traditional clothing. Furthermore, on most occasions’ individuals bully other individuals when they embrace their traditions. This includes impolite comments on social media accounts, leaving out ones that wear their traditional clothing on a daily routine etc.
The more TV is watched, the more traditions are eradicated. Most movies and TV series are filled with western fashion and ideas. Hence, watching TV being a hobby of many also results in individuals picking western over traditional clothing. Therefore, I firmly assent that we should start including more ethnicities in what we do. For instance, producing movies and TV series accepting other cultures, discouraging bullying when people choose traditional fashion etc.
In conclusion I abide with the fact that fashion westernization does bring a negative development. Cultures and traditions brought down from ancient years simply being eliminated is unacceptable. It also brings around the idea that no one should be accepted unless they follow the normal. Consequently, although there is no problem with suits and jeans, I suppose we should encourage traditional clothing more to bring about a positive improvement.
In recent years it’s been absorbed that in a lot of countries the popularity of traditional cloth is decreasing , and modern cloth is becoming more current. In this essay I will be discussing why this shift is happening and why I think this is a good change.
To begin with, the predominant reason why this is happening is due to the inconvenience of traditional clothing. To be more precise, most traditional clothes are complex and hard to wear. For instance , the japanese traditional clothing for women is the kemono. This outfit is designed in a very complex manner and it takes quite an amount of time to wear. That is why wetran clothing is becoming so trendy because they are simply designed and easily worn and more convenient to people of all ages.
On the other hand , this change has a positive influence in a lot of aspects. There is some negativity in this shift, clothes have always been a reflection of people’s identity, tradition and culture. That is why we see that most youngsters do ot have that deep connection with their culture and this can lead to loss of identity.
In conclusion , although wearing trendy western clothes has some negativity in it, the convenience of it is overcoming this negativity.