Name: Mark:

UNIT 3 Test Level 1

WRITTEN COMPREHENSION
Read the news article and answer the questions that follow.

The True Cost of Fast Fashion

I The holiday season is approaching and you are looking for a special outfit, which you know you might not
wear again. So why buy something you’ll only wear once? Thanks to online shopping and discount chain
stores, it isn’t difficult to find a bargain. And because of that, many people don’t feel guilty wearing their
clothes only once.
II There is a name for this kind of shopping: fast fashion. Fast fashion is an industry where people buy
single-use clothes cheaply. Other single-use products, such as plastic cups, are criticised in today’s
culture of environmental awareness, so why do people think it’s acceptable to discard clothes in the same
way? Environmental experts are indeed very concerned about fast fashion. Unknown to many consumers,
fast fashion has a serious environmental impact. Clothing production worldwide has seen an enormous
boom in recent years. However, the vast majority of clothing is thrown away within a year. Unfortunately,
many of these items are not recycled but end up in landfills.
III In addition to the environmental cost, fast fashion also has a human cost. The top you bought for only £5
still had to be made by someone in a factory. When you consider the shipping costs in addition to the
shop’s profits, how much of that £5 goes to the factory worker?
IV Fortunately, there are ways of dealing with fast fashion. For example, big fashion brands could take more
responsibility by recycling the clothes that they produce. Customers could be persuaded to return their
unwanted clothing. This frequently happens in other industries. Think of computer manufacturers, for
instance, who collect used computers.
V Unfortunately, the recycling of clothing won’t prevent the increase in clothes production. For that, the
behaviour of the consumer needs to change. Shopping at second-hand shops is one way to fight fast
fashion. As people often only wear their clothes once, many of these items are practically new. So, you
won’t find the old-looking coats and damaged trousers which used to be the norm there.
VI Perhaps you don’t fancy wearing someone else’s old clothes. In that case, there is another way to cut
down on the amount of clothes you buy: buy and wear clothes that never go out of style, like jeans and a
black T-shirt. Then there’s no need to update your clothes so often. Teenagers in particular can make a big
difference doing this. By making simple changes, perhaps we can all combat fast fashion.

1 Choose the correct answer. (3 x 2 = 6 points)

1 Fast fashion refers to buying … .

a clothes quickly
b lots of clothes at once
c one item of clothing at a time
d clothes that won’t be worn more than once
2 According to the writer, second-hand shops sell clothes that are … .
a new
b not fashionable
c in good condition
d dirty
3 The writer suggests … .
a wearing clothes that are always in style
b borrowing clothes from other people
c only wearing jeans and T-shirts
d wearing clothes that are less trendy

1
 Name: Mark:
2 Answer the questions. (4 x 3 = 12 points)

1 What is the difference between the single use of plastic cups and items of clothing?
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2 What happens to most clothing that is unwanted?
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3 Why does fast fashion have a human cost?
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4 Why does the writer mention computer manufacturers?
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3 Find words in the text that mean: (6 x 2 = 12 points)

1 something that is a great price (paragraph I) .............................

2 throw away (paragraph II) .............................
3 a sudden and significant increase (paragraph II) .............................
4 encouraged (paragraph IV) .............................
5 want to have or do (paragraph VI) .............................
6 to make something more modern or relevant (paragraph VI) .............................