Some people feel that manufacturers and

supermarkets have the responsibility to

reduce the amount of packaging of goods
while others argue that customers should
avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
STRUCTURE: Discussion Essay
Introduction - Give context/ paraphrase the question
- Thesis statement/ Opinion
- Outline sentence

Body 1: Discuss why you agree that - State, discuss, provide reasoning and example
“manufacturers and supermarkets have the for the first viewpoint
responsibility to reduce the amount of
packaging of goods ”.

Body 2: Discuss why you agree that “customers - State, discuss, provide reasoning and example
should avoid buying goods with a lot of for the second viewpoint
packaging”.

Conclusion - Summary & your opinion

 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

INTRODU
In recent time, news outlining the devastating impact of plastic on
the environment has been hitting (making) the headlines, (which
raises) raising the people’s awareness in environment protection.

CTION
Therefore, a debate is emerging regarding whether consumers
should proactively opt out of (>< into) buying products with multi-
layered packaging or should omitting those plastic covers (be) the
responsibility of manufacturers. The following essay shall take
both sides of the debate into consideration before substantiating
on my viewpoint with pertinent (relevant) arguments.
 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

BOD
Corporate social responsibility: Environment conservation
CLAIM: manufacturers / reduce / plastic waste
EXPLAIN:
+ consumers / little knowledge / detrimental impact / excessive (><

Y1
abundant) packaging / environment
+ consumers / limited / options / goods  compromise
CONCLUDE: manufacturers / cut down / plastic / opt for /
recyclable / bio-degradable / eco-friendly materials
EXAMPLE: eco-friendly manufacturers / shifting to / paper
packaging / positive feedback / public / increased sales, etc.
 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Eco-conscious customers:

BOD
CLAIM: by understanding / pollution / caused by … / and / refusing … /
dissuade (>< persuade) / manufacturers / using / plastic (non-degradable)
packaging

Y2
EXPLAIN:
+ packaging (foam, plastic, bubble wrap) / ease of storage and
distribution / warranty  However / paper packaging / perform the same
function
+ public pressure / effective in doing sth (change) / …
CONCLUDE: consumers / take the initiative to verb / stop …
EXAMPLE: take-away food stalls / coffee shops / use … / offer preferential
promotion and discounts …
 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Accountability

BOD
Since all companies have to adhere to/comply with the professional disciplines of
corporate social responsibility, manufacturers and distributors should bear the
obligation to cut down on the amount of non-degradable packaging they use.
This is further supported by the fact that customers have little to no knowledge

Y1
about the environmental damage caused by the excessive use of packaging. As
buyers should not be made to compromise on product selection and purchase a
product with lower quality and less packaging, product providers are obliged to
ensure that their goods come with the least packing possible. In reality, suppliers
who opt for packaging using eco-friendly, bio-degradable or recyclable materials
are met with much positive public reception which tends to correspond to an
increase in revenue.
 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

BOD
All said, by becoming more eco-conscious buyers, manufacturers and distributors
can be dissuaded (persuading) into reducing or even omitting their
environmentally unfriendly product packaging. Firstly, buyers should be aware
that packaging using foam, bubble wraps and plastic bags are not synonymous

Y2
with better product storage and delivery and that paper-based packaging can
perform the same function without causing harm to the environment. Secondly,
by unanimously refraining from using over-packaged products and boycotting
brands which perpetuate overpackaging, the customer base can effectively
pressure these companies into changing their packaging practice
(method/approach). Such is further facilitated by the wide spread of social media
which provides individual buyers a medium (channel) to voice their opinions (have
their opinions known and addressed) and the increased emphasis on customer
centricity of companies nowadays. [EXAMPLE].
CONCL
Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of
packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

USION
- Answer the following questions:
+ who are responsible ?
+ why ?

Word
Duration: 40 minutes
Font: Calibri, Arial, etc
Size: 16
Justify: on both margins
File name: 18_9_IC_Trong Thanh
Email: vutunglam2106@gmail.com
 Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the
responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods while
others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot
of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Producer / manufacturer

VOC
Retailer and wholesaler / distributor
Curb (v)

AB
EXERCI
SE
These days people in some countries are living in
a “throwaway” society which means people use
things in a short time then throw them away.
What are its causes and what impacts can it
have?