Sustainable Fashion - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 25–30 Matching
What comment do the speakers make about each of the following semi-synthetic fabrics?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-H.
A. The production process is fuel efficient.
B. It is the least sustainable of alternative fabrics.
C. Production costs are high.
D. It provides additional health benefits.
E. It is not durable in the long-term.
F. It needs to be produced in a certain way to be sustainable.
G. Chemicals required for production can be reused.
H. This is from a wholly sustainable source.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | B / D | most people use these terms interchangeably They're often deliberately vague, I think, and don't provide enough information about how their products are made |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that many people use the two words as if they mean the same thing. It also explains that when companies use these words, they are often not clear (vague) and fail to give specific details about how their products are actually created. Answer Explanation: The answer explains two things people often do with the words 'ethical' and 'sustainable' in fashion: first, they incorrectly think both words have the same meaning; second, these words are often used in a way that is not clear or specific. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and D because the speakers discuss how 'ethical' and 'sustainable' are used in confusing ways. Maddy notes that people use these words "interchangeably," meaning they treat them as having the same definition (supporting B). She also says that companies are "vague" when using these words to describe products, which means they are being used "imprecisely" (supporting D) because they do not provide clear details. |
| Q23 | — | — | |
| Q24 | D / E | RYAN: And it also lasts a long time and can be recycled. All very positive. But I wasn't convinced by the argument that wool production is sustainable because it doesn't use many chemicals – what about all the fungicides and insecticides used in sheep farming? MADDY: Good point. And I couldn't find any evidence for the claim about sheep farming being better for the environment than cattle farming. RYAN: No – they're both really bad | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ryan doubting the idea that wool is chemical-free because many sprays are used in farming. Following this, Maddy says there is no proof that farming sheep is better for the Earth than farming cows, and Ryan confirms that both are harmful. Answer Explanation: The answer is D and E. These are the two ideas about wool that the speakers think are not true based on their research. They believe that wool making uses many chemicals and that sheep are just as bad for the environment as other farm animals. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D and E because Ryan and Maddy argue against these points. For answer D, Ryan explains that he does not believe the claim that wool uses few chemicals because farmers use 'fungicides' and 'insecticides' (sprays to kill fungus and bugs). For answer E, Maddy mentions she found no 'evidence' (proof) that sheep are better for the environment than 'cattle' (cows), and Ryan agrees that they are both 'really bad' for nature. |
| Q25 | G | Over 99% of dissolving agents used in the manufacturing process are used again | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in the factory where they make Lyocell, nearly all of the liquid chemicals used to break down the wood pulp are kept and used multiple times instead of being thrown away. Answer Explanation: The answer is G, which says that the chemicals used to make this fabric can be used again. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because Ryan mentions that when making Lyocell, almost all (over 99%) of the "dissolving agents" are "used again." In this context, "dissolving agents" refers to the chemicals used in the factory, and "used again" is a synonym for "reused." |
| Q26 | B | RYAN: Made from byproducts of the cotton industry to create a kind of vegan silk. But I'm not sure how sustainable this really is as there are so many reports of pollution caused by the manufacturing process.MADDY: Mmm. It doesn't compare favourably with all the other sustainable fabrics we've looked at, no | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ryan pointing out that making Cupro creates pollution (damage to nature). Maddy then agrees that it is worse for the environment than all the other natural or recycled fabrics they have talked about. Answer Explanation: The answer is B, which means that compared to the other materials the speakers studied, Cupro is the worst one for the environment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Ryan and Maddy discuss why Cupro is not a very green choice. Ryan mentions that making it causes pollution, and Maddy says it is not as good as the other fabrics they looked at. When something 'doesn't compare favourably' to others in a list of good things, it means it is the worst or least good option on that list. |
| Q27 | F | RYAN: Bamboo is one fabric we're all familiar with. But I didn't know that it was only organic bamboo that's truly sustainable | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ryan explaining that bamboo is only truly green or eco-friendly (sustainable) when it is organic. If it is not made this way, it might not be good for the earth. Answer Explanation: The answer means that bamboo is only good for the environment if it is made using specific methods. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the speakers mention that not all bamboo is good for the environment. Ryan notes that only organic bamboo is considered truly sustainable. This implies that the method of production (being organic) is necessary for it to be eco-friendly. Maddy adds that many other ways of making bamboo fabric use a lot of chemicals, which is bad for the planet. In this context, sustainable refers to something that can continue for a long time without causing harm to nature. |
| Q28 | A | Probably because manufacturing causes 50 percent fewer emissions and takes up half as much energy as conventional fabrics | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that making this special fabric uses only 50% of the energy that standard fabrics need. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means that making this fabric uses power or fuel very well without wasting it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because Maddy explains that making EcoVero uses 'half as much energy' compared to normal fabrics. In the world of manufacturing, using less energy (like electricity or fuel) to do the same job is called being fuel efficient. |
| Q29 | H | MADDY: Mmm and it's the only fabric that's fundamentally sustainable – the cork trees it comes from are renewable and the product itself is both recyclable and biodegradable – which is unique.RYAN: And the harvesting process is actually good for the trees. There are no downsides to using this source at all | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that cork is special ('unique') because the trees it comes from grow back ('renewable') and taking the cork actually helps the trees. Since it can be used again ('recyclable') or rot naturally ('biodegradable'), and there are no bad effects ('no downsides'), it is a perfect example of a sustainable material. Answer Explanation: The answer means that cork is made from a material that is 100% good for the environment and does not cause any harm to nature. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because Maddy describes cork as being 'fundamentally sustainable,' which means it is nature-friendly at its core. She also mentions that it is 'renewable' and 'recyclable.' Ryan supports this by stating there are 'no downsides' (no bad points) to using it. Because it is completely helpful and not harmful, it counts as a 'wholly sustainable source.' |
| Q30 | D | RYAN: Yes. Did you know that clothes made from hemp protect the wearer from the sun and it's also antibacterial | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that hemp clothing works well for the person wearing it because it stops the sun and prevents the growth of bacteria. Answer Explanation: The answer D means that wearing clothes made from hemp helps a person's health in extra ways. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Ryan mentions that hemp fabric protects people from the sun and is 'antibacterial' (which means it kills or stops bacteria). These are special health features that the fabric offers to the person wearing it. Key words to look for in the text are 'protect' and 'antibacterial'. |
Transcript
MADDY: Shall we go through our research for our sustainable fashion project?
RYAN: Good idea. I think I've done enough reading now.
MADDY: Me too. I've learnt such a lot about what sustainability actually means.
RYAN: Mmm, same for me with ethical fashion. I didn't really appreciate the difference between that and sustainable fashion before doing this research.
MADDY: I know – most people use these terms interchangeably – but in fact the difference is quite distinct when you think about it. Sustainable relates to the environment and ethical relates more to the way workers or animals are treated.
RYAN: I totally understand why people get confused, though. There are so many other terms used – like 'eco-friendly', which is actually quite meaningless.
MADDY: And the way companies use these terms when describing their products doesn't help. They're often deliberately vague, I think, and don't provide enough information about how their products are made.
RYAN: Yes.
MADDY: It was interesting to read about the debates surrounding wool production and how ethical and sustainable that is. It's generally considered to be sustainable because it's a natural product.
RYAN: And it also lasts a long time and can be recycled. All very positive. But I wasn't convinced by the argument that wool production is sustainable because it doesn't use many chemicals – what about all the fungicides and insecticides used in sheep farming?
MADDY: Good point. And I couldn't find any evidence for the claim about sheep farming being better for the environment than cattle farming.
RYAN: No – they're both really bad. I read different reports about how unethical it is to even shear sheep. Some people say it's cruel but as long as the sheep are kept in good condition I can't see anything wrong with it.
MADDY: Me neither.
RYAN: Shall we talk about some of the semi-synthetic new fabrics now?
MADDY: OK, let's do that.
RYAN: Let's start with Lyocell, I've been reading about that.
MADDY: Yeah, that's the one produced from the pulp of eucalyptus trees, isn't it?
RYAN: Yes, and what happens with that is really impressive. Over 99% of dissolving agents used in the manufacturing process are used again.
MADDY: Yeah. Now, there are a few semi-synthetic fabrics that I'd never heard of. Like Cupro, for example.
RYAN: Made from byproducts of the cotton industry to create a kind of vegan silk. But I'm not sure how sustainable this really is as there are so many reports of pollution caused by the manufacturing process.
MADDY: Mmm. It doesn't compare favourably with all the other sustainable fabrics we've looked at, no.
RYAN: Bamboo is one fabric we're all familiar with. But I didn't know that it was only organic bamboo that's truly sustainable.
MADDY: Me neither. Apparently, the manufacturing process for a significant proportion of bamboo is chemically quite intensive – which obviously can be quite damaging.
RYAN: EcoVero is an example of a semi-synthetic fabric which is becoming really popular.
MADDY: Probably because manufacturing causes 50 percent fewer emissions and takes up half as much energy as conventional fabrics. That saves production costs as well as being better for the environment.
RYAN: That's true. I think demand for cork will continue to grow. It works really well in vegan shoes and bags.
MADDY: Mmm and it's the only fabric that's fundamentally sustainable – the cork trees it comes from are renewable and the product itself is both recyclable and biodegradable – which is unique.
RYAN: And the harvesting process is actually good for the trees. There are no downsides to using this source at all.
MADDY: Hemp is another really good sustainable fabric from a natural source.
RYAN: Yes. Did you know that clothes made from hemp protect the wearer from the sun and it's also antibacterial?
MADDY: No, I didn't. But I did read that it's quite hard to grow, so perhaps that's why it's not as common as you'd think.
RYAN: I'm sure that'll change.