Writing Task:
Nowadays, people tend to throw away old items after buying new ones, whereas in the past, people would repair and reuse old things. Why is this the case? What consequences does this phenomenon have?
Task Analysis:
The task involves two main components: understanding the reasons behind the trend of discarding old items in favor of new ones, and discussing the consequences of this behavior. This makes it a cause-and-effect question, focusing on identifying causes and their subsequent impacts.
For the causes, we can take consumer culture as the main driver, which is easy to delve into. As for the consequences, we may also try to find something familiar to present, such as environmental issues and financial strain. You always need to keep in mind that if you don’t know much about the topic, try to divert it to a domain you’re familiar with.
In terms of logic, it is straightforward that two body paragraphs can address the task requirements respectively.
Writing Sample:
Many people now discard old items after buying new ones in contrast to earlier times when things were frequently repaired and reused. This shift has several reasons and important consequences for our society.
The emergence of consumer culture, promoting frequent purchases of new goods, is one factor contributing to this trend. Businesses propagate the notion that new products are superior, which makes people think that outdated items are useless. The convenience of contemporary life also plays a role. Buying a new item can often be more convenient for many people than investing the time and energy necessary to fix an old one. For example, individuals may choose to buy a new appliance rather than fix a broken one because they believe it to be a simpler solution. This mindset reflects a change in values, where newness is often associated with higher status.
The consequences of this behavior can be quite serious. First of all, environmental issues are getting worse by the rise in waste from discarded items. Things that could have been repaired or reused are piling up in landfills, causing pollution and problems with waste management. Second, our economy is impacted by this trend as well. People may ignore the advantages of repairing and reusing items instead of buying new ones, which can create job opportunities in repair services and encourage sustainability. Additionally, people who feel compelled to follow trends may experience financial strain as a result of their excessive consumption of new products.
In conclusion, convenience and a consumer-driven culture are the main causes of the trend towards throwing away outdated goods. But there are serious economic and environmental problems with this trend. To support a healthier planet and economy, society must acknowledge these problems and take into account more sustainable practices like repairing and reusing.
