TASK 2:
ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: IELTS I-Ready, 30/9/2024
Marked by: Ex-BC Examiner
(IELTS Academic – 28/9/2024)
Question: In many countries the amount of household waste like food packaging is increasing. What are the causes of this problem? What measures could be taken to reduce it?
ANSWER:
The escalation of domestic rubbish in many nations can be attributed to both industry practices and consumer behavior. Addressing this challenge requires the elimination of packaging and the potential implementation of certain consumption laws.
The drivers behind the escalation of household waste are various. One significant factor is the pervasive practice of unnecessary packaging. In many instances, products that can be sold in their natural state are nevertheless encased. Fruits, as an example, which are naturally equipped with protective skins, are nestled in plastic trays or even wooden baskets. This superfluous packaging exacerbates waste accumulation in the environment. A further reason for this increase is the uplifting of consumer purchasing power. This surge in consumerism, driven by higher disposable incomes and the convenience of online shopping, leads to the proportional rise in the amount of packaging required, hence a corresponding spike in residential waste.
To address this burgeoning problem, multifaceted approaches are required. Primarily, the authorities should impose a blanket ban on all forms of packaging. In this scenario, consumers would be required to use their own reusable bags or containers when shopping. This solution can considerably reduce the volume of waste generated, as it eliminates the need for disposable packaging altogether. In more drastic cases, policymakers could implement a ration card system. Under this framework, households would be restricted to a governmental-predetermined quantity of essential goods proportionate to the number of family members. As an illustration, during the former ration card system in Vietnam, households only received limited quantities of staple goods, which minimized the amount of packaging waste.
In conclusion, the rise in domestic refuse, driven by excessive packaging and consumerism, calls for decisive action. Solutions including banning disposable packaging and mandating the use of reusable containers, along with considering a ration card system to control consumption, could offer promising avenues to reduce waste and foster more sustainable living practices.
(311 words)
Highlight Vocabulary:
English | Vietnamese |
Pervasive | tràn lan |
Encased | được đóng gói |
Nestled | được xếp |
Superfluous | dư thừa |
Exacerbates | trầm trọng |
Proportional | tỷ lệ thuận |
Burgeoning | đang phát triển |
Disposable | dùng một lần |
Drastic | nghiêm trọng |
Governmental-predetermined | được chính phủ xác định trước |