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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

The world is consuming natural resources faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, it is important that products are made to last. Governments should discourage people from constantly buying up-to-date or fashionable products.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1: [Disagreement]

In today’s world, many opine that exploration and exploitation of natural resources are at their peak for the sake of personal benefit and luxury, and there is a dire need for taking precautionary measures. However, I do agree that we need to limit the use of modern products and encourage companies not to continue their innovation. By doing so, we will compromise safety issues and deprive people to take benefits of modern and advanced technology while also limiting economic progress.

There is no doubt that modern products are designed following the latest technology and safety measures. For instance, today’s cars are much better in performance and more secure than cars from the past decades. The latest cars have the state of the art features such as airbags, crash sensors, cameras and internet connectivity and so on, and those functions make cars safer, more comfortable, reliable and durable. Now if we are asked to buy cars from the past decade and use the same mobile phones for years, it will not only take away our comfort and safety but also restrict us to take advantage of the latest technology. 

Moreover, highly durable and long-lasting products will create a discriminatory market condition for people. Products would be expensive and not affordable for poor and lower middle-class people. Furthermore, this will limit product research and innovation in technology and production. This will have a drastic negative impact on employment, the economy and overall national development. In this regard, other alternatives like recycling products whenever possible, imposing more tax on luxury items etc. could be more effective and the governments should consider those rather than doing something that would impede our progress. 

To conclude, governments should come up with pragmatic approaches to protect the scarce natural resources rather than confiding people not to use the latest and modern products which has even drastic impacts on our life and economic progress.

[ Written by - Fahad Sultan ]

Model Answer 2: [Agreement]
The issue of 'sustainable consumption and production' is becoming increasingly pressing as the world's population continues to grow and natural resources are depleted faster than they can be renewed. Therefore, I completely agree with the statement that products should be made to last and that governments should discourage people from constantly buying all latest or fashionable products.

One of the main reasons why products should be made to last is to reduce the amount of waste that is produced. When people constantly buy new products, they are essentially throwing away the old ones, which contributes to the growing problem of waste disposal. This waste often ends up in landfills, where it takes years to decompose and can have negative environmental impacts.

In addition, making products that are designed to last longer can also help to reduce the amount of resources that are used in manufacturing. If products are made to last, they will need to be replaced less often, which means that fewer resources will be needed to produce new products. This can have a positive impact on the environment, as it reduces the need for new resource extraction and can help to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

Furthermore, encouraging people to buy fewer products can also have positive social impacts. When people are constantly buying new products, they are often driven by a desire to keep up with the latest trends, which can create a culture of consumerism that prioritizes material possessions over other important values. By encouraging people to value durability and longevity over novelty and fashion, governments can help to promote more sustainable and responsible attitudes towards consumption.

In conclusion, products should be made to last and that governments should take steps to discourage people from constantly buying new products. Doing so can have positive environmental, social, and economic impacts, and is essential for ensuring a sustainable future for the planet.

Model Answer 3: [Disagreement]

The rapid depletion of natural resources and increasing consumerism have led to suggestions that governments should discourage people from buying constantly-updated products. While some may argue that this approach is necessary to conserve resources and reduce waste, I contend that it is impractical and would do more harm than good.

One of the main arguments against the idea of discouraging the purchase of up-to-date products is that it would hamper innovation and progress. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, newer products often offer better performance, efficiency, and safety features. Encouraging people to hold onto outdated products would discourage manufacturers from investing in research and development and inhibit progress in many industries.

Moreover, discouraging the consumption of newer products would likely lead to a decrease in affordability and quality, particularly for low-income groups. While it may be tempting to assume that durable products would reduce waste and conserve resources, it is important to recognize that they can also be expensive to manufacture and maintain. This would disproportionately impact low-income families who may not be able to afford higher-priced, long-lasting products.

Finally, it is essential to recognize that many modern products can be recycled and repurposed. By promoting recycling and ensuring that products are designed for disassembly, it is possible to reduce waste and conserve resources without resorting to product durability mandates.

In conclusion, while it is important to address the issue of resource depletion and waste reduction, the idea of mandating durable products or discouraging the purchase of newer products is not a practical or effective solution. Rather than stifling innovation and creating unnecessary financial burdens, policymakers should focus on promoting recycling and sustainable manufacturing practices to ensure a more equitable and environmentally sustainable future.

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