IELTS Writing Task 2: Eco-friendly vs. Cheaper Products (Band 9 Samples)
Topic: Some people prefer environmentally friendly products while others prefer cheaper alternatives. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
1. Strategy for “Consumer Topics”
When discussing shopping habits and products, Band 9 candidates often use specific economic and marketing terminology.
- Instead of: “Buying things,” use Consumerism, purchasing decisions, acquisition.
- Instead of: “Cheap things,” use Budget-friendly alternatives, mass-produced goods, cost-effective options.
- Instead of: “Green things,” use Sustainable goods, ethically sourced products, eco-conscious choices.
Advertisement
Sample Essay 1: The Ethical Imperative
This essay argues that while price matters, the moral obligation to the planet must take precedence.
The Essay
Consumer behavior is increasingly defined by a conflict between conscience and cost. While a growing demographic advocates for the purchase of environmentally friendly products, a significant portion of the population prioritizes cheaper alternatives. In my opinion, although financial constraints are a valid concern, the long-term ecological consequences of mass consumption necessitate a shift toward sustainable purchasing.
On the one hand, the preference for cheaper goods is driven by economic pragmatism. For low-to-middle income households, price sensitivity is the primary determinant in decision-making. With the rising cost of living, many individuals view eco-friendly products—which often carry a “green premium” due to ethical labor and sustainable materials—as a luxury they cannot afford. Consequently, purchasing inexpensive, mass-produced items is not necessarily a lack of care for the environment, but a matter of financial survival.
On the other hand, proponents of eco-friendly products argue that “voting with one’s wallet” is the most effective way to combat climate change. Every purchase of a sustainable product signals demand to manufacturers, encouraging the industry to shift away from harmful practices. Furthermore, non-sustainable goods often conceal hidden costs, such as pollution and resource depletion, which society eventually pays for in the form of environmental degradation. Therefore, supporting green brands is viewed as a moral duty to future generations.
Personally, I align with the latter view. While the initial expense of sustainable goods is higher, the environmental cost of cheap, disposable manufacturing is unsustainable. If consumers continue to prioritize the lowest price, corporations will have no incentive to innovate or reduce their carbon footprint. Thus, prioritizing eco-friendly products is an investment in planetary health that supersedes immediate financial savings.
Band 9 Features
- Vocabulary: Economic pragmatism, price sensitivity, green premium, voting with one’s wallet, carbon footprint.
- Cohesion: The phrase “Consequently, purchasing… is not necessarily X, but Y” shows sophisticated complex sentence structure.
Advertisement
Sample Essay 2: The Socio-Economic Reality
This essay takes a compassionate look at why people buy cheap things, arguing that until green products become affordable, we cannot blame the poor.
The Essay
The divide between sustainable consumerism and budget-conscious shopping often reflects a deeper socio-economic schism. While environmentalists urge society to embrace green products, many consumers remain loyal to cheaper alternatives. My own perspective is that while eco-friendly habits are ideal, they remain a privilege of the affluent; until sustainable goods achieve price parity, the preference for cheaper alternatives will remain the dominant trend.
Those who favor environmentally friendly products emphasize the damaging lifecycle of cheap goods. Inexpensive items are frequently the result of exploitative labor practices and disregard for environmental regulations. By choosing organic, recycled, or biodegradable options, consumers feel they are mitigating their ecological impact. This group argues that the higher price point reflects the true value of the labor and materials, whereas cheap goods are artificially subsidized by environmental exploitation.
Conversely, the preference for cheaper alternatives is largely dictated by necessity. For the vast majority of the global population, the immediate utility of a product is weighed strictly against its price tag. When a family is struggling to cover basic needs, the abstract benefit of reducing carbon emissions takes a backseat to the tangible benefit of saving money. It is arguably unjust to expect those on the margins of the economy to shoulder the financial burden of saving the planet.
In conclusion, while I acknowledge the virtue of eco-friendly purchasing, I believe the preference for cheaper goods is an unavoidable consequence of economic inequality. Until governments and corporations work to lower the cost of sustainable manufacturing, green products will remain a niche market for the wealthy, rather than a realistic norm for the masses.
Band 9 Features
- Vocabulary: Socio-economic schism, price parity, exploitative labor practices, mitigating, artificially subsidized, tangible benefit.
- Task Response: This essay is strong because it refuses to condemn the “cheap” shoppers, offering a nuanced reason (inequality) instead.
Advertisement
Sample Essay 3: The “False Economy” & Durability Argument
This essay argues that “cheap” is actually expensive because it breaks, while “eco-friendly” usually implies higher quality and longevity.
The Essay
In the modern marketplace, consumers are often faced with a binary choice: high-cost sustainable goods or low-cost conventional items. While the allure of immediate savings drives the market for cheaper alternatives, the durability and ethical value of environmentally friendly products attract a dedicated following. I firmly believe that cheaper goods often represent a “false economy,” and that investing in sustainable quality is ultimately more beneficial for both the consumer and the planet.
The primary attraction of cheaper alternatives lies in their accessibility and the psychological satisfaction of a bargain. In a culture driven by fast fashion and rapid technological turnover, consumers are conditioned to view products as disposable. Consequently, a lower price point allows for more frequent consumption, satisfying the desire for novelty. For many, the short lifespan of these products is an acceptable trade-off for the low initial outlay.
However, advocates of environmentally friendly products argue that quality should take precedence over quantity. Sustainable goods are typically manufactured with higher standards, using robust materials designed to last. This concept contrasts sharply with “planned obsolescence,” where cheap goods are engineered to fail. Therefore, a consumer who buys one high-quality, eco-friendly jacket may spend less over a decade than one who buys five cheap, synthetic alternatives.
In my opinion, the preference for environmentally friendly products is the superior logical stance. Not only does it reduce waste in landfills, but it also proves to be financially prudent in the long run due to the longevity of the items. The “cheaper” alternative is often an illusion that traps consumers in a cycle of repetitive spending and waste.
Band 9 Features
- Vocabulary: Binary choice, false economy, fast fashion, psychological satisfaction, initial outlay, planned obsolescence, financially prudent.
- Cohesion: Uses However to introduce the counter-argument and Therefore to draw a logical conclusion within the paragraph.
Advertisement
Key Vocabulary for this Topic
| Topic Concept | Band 6/7 Word | Band 9 Collocation/Term |
| Buying things | Shopping habits | Consumer behavior / Purchasing patterns |
| Rich people | Rich people | The affluent / Higher-income demographics |
| Poor people | Poor people | Budget-conscious consumers / Low-income households |
| Price | Cost | Price point / Financial outlay |
| Fake savings | Saving money now but paying later | False economy |
| Breaking easily | Not strong | Planned obsolescence / Disposable nature |
| Green cost | More expensive because it’s green | Green premium |
Tips for “Discuss Both Views”
- Don’t Ignore the “Why”: When discussing the side you disagree with (e.g., buying cheap things), don’t just say “it’s bad.” Explain why people do it (inflation, poverty, convenience). This shows empathy and depth.
- Clear Opinion: Your opinion doesn’t have to be 100% one side. You can say “Ideally A, but realistically B” (like Sample 2).
- Topic Sentences: Ensure the first sentence of each body paragraph clearly states which “view” is being discussed.
- Body 1: “On the one hand, the preference for cheaper goods is driven by…”
- Body 2: “On the other hand, proponents of eco-friendly products argue…”